According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, 29-year-old Ronald Murphy was convicted of third-degree murder, attempted murder and related firearms charges in the September 5, 2016 fatal shooting.
Officials said the incident began when Amber Michael and her partner celebrated their first anniversary at Yolo Cafe.
on the topic: Family, friends remember dancer Amber Michael, killed in shooting in North Philadelphia
Around 12:30 p.m., officials said Michael crossed the road to order takeaway food at a Chinese restaurant.
Officials said Murphy, who was at the restaurant when Michael entered, began making inappropriate remarks to her. Michael was upset and asked his partner, who was waiting for her outside, to intervene.
Michael’s partner did not speak to Murphy, but the couple left the restaurant.
Officials said Murphy followed them out into the street, where Murphy and the couple exchanged words.
According to video footage obtained by investigators from a Chinese restaurant, Murphy was spotted walking north toward Dauphin Street, and the couple returned to Yolo Cafe.
Officials said Michael was still upset by the meeting and decided to go for a walk to calm down. She and her partner climbed the 2,200-square-foot Chadwick Street, officials said.
Murphy was sitting near the house on Chadwick Street and noticed the couple.
Investigators believe Murphy said extra words to Michael’s partner before shooting him in the chest.
As soon as he was on the ground, Murphy shot him nine more times. He survived the shooting.
Murphy then fatally shot Michael in the back.
“Amber was absolutely amazing, and I say this not just as her mother, but as a different person,” said Tonya Johnson, Amber Michael’s mother. “She did nothing but work to improve her community. Every day of her life she did nothing but try to be the best person she could be.”
Murphy was found guilty after a jury trial. On February 4, 2022, he received 35 to 70 years in prison.
Copyright © 2022 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.
