Man, 32, arrested in deadly home invasion in West Philly

A 32-year-old man has been charged in last week's shooting death during a home invasion robbery in West Philadelphia, police said Monday.

Matthew White, of the 1200 block of North 53rd Street, was arrested Sunday and charged with murder, robbery, and related offenses.

About 10 p.m. on Jan. 9, White allegedly entered a second-floor apartment in the 5400 block of West Girard Avenue, announced a robbery, and shot 32-year-old Barry Jones in the head. He also fired a shot at a 49-year-old woman as he fled the property, police said. She was not hurt.

Homicide Sgt. Bob Kuhlmeier has said that Jones lived in the apartment with his 36-year-old female friend and her older, female relative. The 36-year-old woman had "arranged a date" with a man — whom investigators later determined to be White — who, after being invited to the apartment, announced a robbery, police have said. Kuhlmeier has said that Jones was shot in the head after trying to stop the robbery.

White also was charged in another home invasion robbery, the night before in the same neighborhood. Police said about 10:40 p.m. on Jan. 8 White forced his way into a residence in the 1300 block of North 52nd Street and robbed three women at gunpoint. He fired a shot at one of the victims when she tried to follow him as he fled with a cellphone and $500 in cash. None of the women was injured.
- Robert Moran and Julie Shaw