In the late afternoon of November 29, 2019, tragedy struck on the 700 block of Tulip Street in Camden, New Jersey. William McWhorter, a 46-year-old male from Philadelphia, was found lying on the ground, suffering from a gunshot wound. The Camden County Police Department responded to reports of a man shot at approximately 3:27 p.m. McWhorter was rushed to Cooper University Hospital, but his life could not be saved, and he was pronounced deceased at 3:47 p.m.
The investigation into
McWhorter's death quickly focused on identifying the person responsible for the brazen daylight shooting. Authorities utilized surveillance footage from the area, which proved to be a critical element in the case. The video captured a suspect with several distinct characteristics, including a short stature, a large beard, and a noticeable gait. Further video evidence showed this individual, later identified as Jamil Beatty, walking quickly from an empty lot near the crime scene shortly after the shooting, this time without a mask.
Investigators discovered a mask in the aforementioned lot, which was sent for forensic analysis. This piece of evidence, combined with the surveillance footage, helped to solidify the case against Beatty, a 30-year-old resident of Camden. It was also revealed that a 9mm shell casing found in a car linked to Beatty matched a casing recovered from the scene of the crime. On January 8, 2020, Jamil Beatty was arrested at his home and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of William McWhorter. He was subsequently held at the Camden County jail pending a court appearance.
