4 charged, 1 sought in Thanksgiving night murder

PHILADELPHIA POLICE on Tuesday announced the arrests of four suspects in connection with the slaying of Johnika Tiggett, a bystander cut down by a stray bullet in Nicetown on Friday.

Homicide Capt. James Clark said an arrest warrant had been issued for a fifth suspect, Terrell Antwon, 23, of Cleveland Street near Cayuga, who was still on the lam.

Clark said Antwon and the other suspects - Byron McDonald, 19; Anthony Palmer, 33; Roland Thompson, 36; and Rashon Wiggins, 24 - were inside Buffy's bar on Dennie Street near Wayne Avenue when an argument broke out shortly before 1:30 a.m.

"It was actually a team of two against three, if you want to call it that," Clark said.

"It started inside the bar and escalated outside the bar. All five of them had guns, all five of them pulled weapons, and all five of them fired."

The five thugs fired more than 20 shots at one another, Clark said.

One bullet found Tiggett, 25, of 20th Street near Germantown Avenue, who was struck in the head as she attempted to walk away from the melee. She was taken to Temple University Hospital and died shortly before 11:30 Friday night.

Tiggett, who was the only person struck by the gunfire, didn't know the suspects, Clark said.

She had Thanksgiving dinner with her parents and later decided to head to Buffy's with friends.

"As a result of the reckless actions of five individuals, she's no longer with us," Clark said. "It's very, very sad."

Charged with murder, weapons violations and related offenses are: McDonald, of 25th Street near Clearfield; Palmer, of Reno Street near 51st; Thompson, of Toronto Street near 24th; and Wiggins, of Juniata Street near Wayne Avenue. Clark said two guns have been recovered. Anyone with information on Antwon's whereabouts can contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334, -3335 or -3336.