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Harrisburg police arrest Shamir Hunter, 19, in Midtown homicide

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Harrisburg police have made an arrest in the beating death of Steve Esworthy, the man who was killed in the city’s Midtown neighbo...
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HARRISBURG, Pa. — Harrisburg police have made an arrest in the beating death of Steve Esworthy, the man who was killed in the city’s Midtown neighborhood last weekend.

Shamir Hunter, 19, was taken into custody Saturday and charged with criminal homicide. He was also charged with theft for stealing several items out of an unlocked vehicle.

Esworthy was killed early Sunday morning, June 19, as he was walking home from his brother’s wedding reception. An autopsy revealed he was struck in the back of the neck by a robber along the 1200 block of Green Street, according to police.

A passer-by saw Hunter going through Esworthy’s pockets, police said. Hunter then fled the scene.

Harrisburg police released surveillance video of a suspect earlier this week.

Police were able to track Hunter through videos across the area, and determined he had entered an unlocked vehicle and stolen items.

“With a combination of tips from Crime Watch, individuals providing information, and good police work we were able to identify Shamir Hunter as the individual that entered the vehicle,” Harrisburg police Captain Gabe Olivera wrote in a statement.

In a tweet, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse wrote, “Fantastic, hard work by @HPDDetectives team and HPD leadership led to today’s swift arrest in the murder of Steve Esworthy.”

Lisa Landis, a spokesperson for the Esworthy statement, wrote on their behalf the following:

“While the Esworthy family continues to mourn the tragic death of Steve Esworthy, the capture of the suspect brings some relief to the family.  We are comforted to know Harrisburg is safer with the suspect no longer at large.  We thank the Harrisburg Bureau of Police for their extraordinary efforts resulting in a quick arrest.  The support from our friends, family, and community during this difficult time has been amazing.   We look forward to working with the community to keep Harrisburg safe.”

Esworthy’s family raised more than $13,000 for Steven’s funeral this week, according to a GoFundMe page, $9,000 more than their original goal.

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