U.S. Marshals have joined Philadelphia police in a widening hunt for 27-year-old Najee Williams, who authorities say is wanted in the fatal shootings of two tow truck drivers. Williams is considered armed and dangerous, and officials say the reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction now totals $21,500.
How the attacks unfolded
Investigators say the violence started on Dec. 22, 2025, when officers found 20-year-old David Garcia-Morales with gunshot wounds inside a 2017 Ford F-450 on the 4200 block of Torresdale Avenue. He was rushed to Temple University Hospital and later died, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Less than a month later, on Jan. 11, police say 25-year-old Aaron Whitfield was found shot to death inside his tow truck on the 2100 block of Knorr Street. A woman who was with him was shot in the leg and hospitalized, authorities say.
What police say
Inspector Ernest Ransom said detectives used surveillance and forensic evidence to zero in on a single suspect, while also flagging aggressive competition among some towing outfits as a possible factor. "We were able to determine Najee Williams was at both locations and committed both crimes," Ransom told reporters, according to NBC10.
Forensic testing on a stolen Honda that was allegedly used in the Knorr Street attack helped investigators connect the vehicle to Williams, reporting by The Philadelphia Inquirer shows.
Marshals join the manhunt
The U.S. Marshals Service's Eastern Pennsylvania unit says it has formally adopted the case and added $1,500 to the Philadelphia Police Department's existing $20,000 reward, bringing the total to $21,500, according to FOX29. Marshals are now working alongside the PPD fugitive task force as investigators chase leads across the region.
Charges and tips
On Jan. 28 the District Attorney's Office approved charges against Williams, including murder, conspiracy and multiple weapons counts, authorities say in the department's bulletin. Members of the public are warned not to approach Williams and are asked to call the PPD tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477), per the Philadelphia Police Department.
Why it matters
Local reporting and police officials say Philadelphia's towing scene can be fiercely competitive, with drivers racing to crash scenes and clashing over territory. Investigators are probing that dynamic as a possible motive. The two killings, along with a separate November case that detectives are reviewing for potential links, have renewed scrutiny of how dispatch practices and street-level competition affect safety, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer and other local outlets.
Police say anyone with tips, surveillance footage or dashcam video should call 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit information online. They stress that Williams should be considered armed and dangerous, and that people should not approach him. Hoodline previously covered the police alert and earlier developments; readers can see prior reporting on the department's request to help track down Williams.
