Folcroft man arrested in pot sale turned murder
Allegedly lured seller to robbery through texts,
then shot him
A Folcroft man has been arrested in the Jan. 29 shooting death of 22-year-old Terrence Murray in an alleged robbery during a marijuana buy.
Rhashaun J. Freeman, 24, of the 100 block of Primos Avenue, is facing 18 counts, including criminal homicide, murder in the first, second and third degree, robbery, conspiracy and firearms charges.
Court records show he was arrested Tuesday and is being held without bail at the county jail in Concord.
According to an affidavit of probable cause for Freeman’s arrest penned by Sharon Hill Detective Sean Johnson and Delaware County Detective Michael Jay:
Darby Township police officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Hook Road shortly before 6 p.m. for a report of a shooting, and located a black Acura TLX parked on the shoulder just east of Calcon Hook Road.
Inside, they found Murray suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to Crozer Chester Medical Center for treatment, but was pronounced dead a half-hour later. An autopsy found his manner of death was homicide.
A witness told investigators that the shooting had actually taken place on the 400 block of Clifton Avenue, where he had driven the victim to conduct a marijuana sale.
The witness said that upon arriving to the area, two males they did not know approached the vehicle. One of the men asked Murray if the weed was good.
As Murray bent down to retrieve the bag of marijuana by his feet, the man who asked the question reached into his waistband and put his arm through the passenger window.
The witness said they accelerated south on Clifton Avenue and heard a single gunshot. Murray then told them he had been shot.
Investigators reviewed Murray’s Instagram messages and found he had been in contact with an account for “1lilpeso” before the homicide. The person using the 1lilpeso account directed Murray to the Clifton Avenue address for the sale and the victim texted “here” to 1lilpeso at 5:46 p.m.
Video surveillance of the area showed two people approaching the victim’s vehicle at 5:50 p.m. and a quick flash of light consistent with the muzzle flash of a gun.
Investigators identified the 1lilpeso account as belonging to Freeman, and were able to track the unique Internet Protocol address and cellular data tower usage of the account and associated phone number from the date of the murder to Freeman’s Folcroft residence.
Court records show Freeman has prior convictions for false
identification to law enforcement, conspiracy to receiving stolen property and tampering with records, possession of a controlled substance and accidents involving damage to an attended vehicle.
Murray, of Philadelphia, was described in his obituary as “a shining example of love, laughter and compassion,” whose family
meant the world to him. Murray had a passion for bikes and rode with friends in a group called OneWay, and had his own clothing line, Real Don’t Fold, or RDF.
“His warm and caring nature made him a beloved figure to all who knew him, and his presence brought joy and comfort to those around him,” the obit reads. “He had an incredible ability to lift the spirits of others and bring laughter into their lives, his funny, great, and crazy personality left an indelible mark on everyone he met.”
Freeman is scheduled for a preliminary hearing May 1 before Magisterial District Judge Tammi L. Forbes. No defense attorney is listed on online court documents.