‘Budding serial killer’ stabbed homeless people, PA officials say. He’s sentenced
A man described by Pennsylvania prosecutors as a “budding serial killer” has been sentenced to prison, officials said.
In February 2023, Dshawn Crawford, dressed in an outfit inspired by former professional wrestler “The Undertaker,” approached a person sleeping in a tent and stabbed them 19 times, Philadelphia prosecutors said.
Six days later, he fatally stabbed another homeless person sleeping on a park bench, officials said.
He pleaded guilty in March and was sentenced to 40 to 80 years in prison in May, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announced during a July 23 news conference.
McClatchy News reached out to Crawford’s attorney but did not immediately receive a response.
“Left on the street for a longer period of time, Dshawn Crawford might well have become known as a serial killer,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said.
The knife used in the stabbings, a fur coat, necklace made from animal teeth and other items worn during the attacks were found in Crawford’s home, according to prosecutors.
More attacks in Philadelphia
A second, separate case targeted people who were homeless and sleeping outside along Philadelphia streets, prosecutors said.
“What we’ve seen here in this case is just stunning cruelty toward some of our city’s most vulnerable populations,” Eleni Belisonzi, municipal court supervisor of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, said during the news conference.
Naeem Morgan was arrested July 21 and is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after videos of a person assaulting people sleeping on the sidewalk garnered attention on social media, prosecutors said.
The video showed a group walking past a person sleeping when Morgan approached, hit the sleeping person with objects before moving onto the next sleeping person just a few feet away, officials said.
Morgan could be heard yelling “get a job” at one of the people lying on the sidewalk, prosecutors said.
In total, Morgan assaulted six people in the video posted to social media, according to prosecutors.
“It was disgusting,” Krasner said. “It’s outrageous.”
Prosecutors said they are currently investigating those with Morgan at the time of the assault.
Morgan’s bail was set at $150,000, prosecutors said. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 21.
