A teenager who fatally shot his 39-year-old lover has been arrested and charged with murder.
Robert Edmond Davis, 19, surrendered to police after nearly a month on the run. He is accused of killing Philadelphia journalist Josh Kruger.
Kruger was shot 7 times in his South Philadelphia townhouse at 1:28 a.m. on Oct. 2nd. Kruger managed to make it outside the townhouse to seek help before dying about a half hour later at a local hospital.
Davis’ family told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Kruger had s*xual relations with Davis since he was 15. Kruger also allegedly supplied the boy with drugs and made “disturbing” videos and photos, which he allegedly threatened to release publicly.
Local ABC affiliate WPVI reported that drugs were found at Kruger’s home and police found extensive text message exchanges to Davis on his cell phone.
Kruger, who was openly gay, was diagnosed with HIV during his time living on the streets. He was on HIV medication and lived a healthier lifestyle, according to DailyMail.com.
Damica Davis said her son struggled with anger issues from a young age, partially because his father abandoned the family when Davis was a child.
When Davis was about 15, he told his mom he met an “older white woman” online who “worked for the government.”
Damica and her older son Jaylin frequently saw the name “Josh” pop up in messages on his phone. When they asked who Josh was, Davis told them it was the woman’s brother, who was gay.
Davis said Robert called her while he was on the run, and admitted he had been seeing Kruger all along.
For years, Damica said, “We’ve only had pieces of everything. We could never put the pieces together, and now everything is coming out and we see what’s going on.”
Davis’ public defender is expected to use the gay panic defense, which is legal in Pennsylvania.
A celebration-of-life service that was planned for Kruger on October 29 was canceled amid the allegations of child s*x abuse.
The memorial was arranged by the William Way Community Center and City Hall, where Kruger once worked.
The William Way Community Center released a statement that read in part:
“The William Way Community Center has decided to cancel the Celebration of Life for Josh Kruger scheduled for October 29th, 2023, at the Center. With the allegations that have recently surfaced about Josh’s murder and the complexities involved, we don’t believe that we can create a safe space, either for Josh’s friends and family, or for those who have rightful anger and concerns over allegations of child sexual abuse.”
