Police: Overbrook dog walker slain during robbery attempt

A man shot dead while walking his dog in Overbrook last week was the victim of an attempted robbery, according to police.

Homicide detectives believe James Stuhlman, 51, was approached by three men wearing hoodies and backpacks while out with his dog on Woodcrest Avenue near 64th Street late Thursday, Capt. James Clark, who oversees the Homicide Unit, said today.

The three suspects were initially following another individual, Clark said, but then, for reasons unclear, turned their attention to Stuhlman, who lives about a block away from where the shooting took place.

They then announced a robbery and ultimately shot Stuhlman once in his chest before fleeing, said Clark, who noted that the victim's wallet and cellphone were still near his body when officers arrived.

He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:58 p.m., police said.

Stuhlman was co-owner of Hilltop Distributors Co., a landscaping supply business in Media.

As is the case with all homicide investigations, the city is offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.