In the early hours of a Tuesday morning in April 2014, a dispute that began with words inside a Philadelphia restaurant tragically escalated to gunfire on the sidewalk outside, claiming the life of Timothy Antoinne Cary. A 31-year-old Black / African American male, Timothy was a beloved son, brother, father, and friend within his community.
The fatal encounter unfolded outside the Copabanana restaurant and bar located at 40th and Spruce Streets.
Timothy had been inside the establishment with his girlfriend when an argument erupted with another man, later identified as Corey Gaynor. After the initial confrontation, Gaynor reportedly left the restaurant, retrieved a. 45-caliber semiautomatic pistol from his car, and returned to confront Timothy.
Witnesses stated that Gaynor fired at least 10 shots at close range, striking Timothy multiple times in the head, chest, a leg, and both hands. Emergency services transported him to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he succumbed to his injuries. The brazen act of violence sent shockwaves through the University City neighborhood.
Responding University of Pennsylvania police officers apprehended Gaynor, who was 26 years old at the time, a short distance from the scene at 41st and Pine Streets. A handgun was discovered on the ground less than a block away. Several witnesses, including Timothy's girlfriend, identified Gaynor as the man who fled and discarded the weapon. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and related weapons offenses.
Two years later, in March 2016, a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court jury found Corey Gaynor guilty of first-degree murder after deliberating for two and a half days. Following the verdict, the judge immediately sentenced the then 28-year-old to a mandatory life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. Throughout his trial, Gaynor maintained his innocence, with his defense attorney arguing a case of mistaken identity. Gaynor did not testify in his own defense and offered no statement before his sentencing.
