PHILADELPHIA (September 24, 2024) — Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office First Assistant Robert Listenbee and members of the DAO’s Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit announced on Tuesday that Daniel Gonzalez (DOB 4/25/2003) was found guilty this month of the unprovoked killing of 33-year-old Seitu Harris. Gonzalez and a co-defendant fatally shot Harris on April 24, 2023, in North Philadelphia.
Surveillance video obtained by investigators showed Gonzalez and Deonte Davis (who currently remains at large) exiting the Broad Street Line’s Girard Avenue subway stop. Davis began to exchange words with Harris, who was standing outside a Cricket Wireless store and smoking a cigarette near the corner of Watts Street and Girard Avenue.
Gonzalez, who is wearing a ski mask, and Davis produce firearms and hold them at their sides. Davis proceeds to quickly open the door to the Cricket store to confirm that there were no witnesses and then opens fire on Harris, who narrowly avoids getting shot in the face. Gonzalez and Davis then open fire, shooting the victim multiple times before fleeing into the subway. One of the shots struck and wounded a pedestrian as he approached the corner where the crime occurred.
Investigators recovered palm prints from the door of the Cricket store and the SEPTA turnstile (both locations caught on surveillance footage). Once the suspects were identified, investigators then began combing over their social media content, where they uncovered videos on Gonzalez’s Instagram account showing him wearing the same distinctive ‘Thrasher’ hoodie and red sneakers that he had worn at the crime scene. Another photo depicted Gonzalez and Davis together.
Gonzalez was arrested on May 8, 2023 and later convicted by the Hon. Diana Anhalt of Third Degree Murder, Conspiracy, and related firearm offenses. He is scheduled for sentencing on November 1, 2024. If you have information on the whereabouts of Deonte Davis, contact the U.S. Marshalls’ tip line: 1-877-WANTED-2.
“The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office applauds Assistant District Attorney Teresa Benavides-Sexton for her skillful prosecution of this case,” said DAO First Assistant Robert Listenbee. “This conviction is also a stark reminder that while homicides and other forms of violent crime continue to plummet here in Philadelphia and across the country, there are still grieving families yearning for justice. The Krasner administration will continue fighting for those families and communities who have been impacted by violent crime.”
“I want to thank the excellent investigation conducted by the Philadelphia Police Department, an investigation that yielded evidence strong enough to convince a Philadelphia judge of Mr. Gonzalez’s culpability in this case,” said ADA Benavides-Sexton. “I sincerely hope that this conviction brings a modicum of closure for the family and friends of Seitu Harris. I also urge the public to contact law enforcement with any information they may have on Gonzalez’s co-conspirator, Deonte Davis.”
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
The photographs below are provided by the Harris family and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office for use by the news media.
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.