HARRISBURG, Pa.–An arrest warrant has been issued for a Harrisburg man accused of shooting and killing 27-year-old Frank Whitlock.
Vernon W. King, 26, is currently at large and is considered armed and dangerous, according to a Harrisburg Police Department news release. King is charged with criminal homicide, conspiracy, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of firearm prohibited and criminal mischief.
Whitlock was gunned down on July 16 along the 1200 block of Hunter Street.
Upon learning that King was wanted in connection to Harrisburg’s latest homicide– Mayor Eric Papenfuse issued the following statement:
“I am most distressed to learn that Vernon King, an employee of the Midtown Scholar Bookstore, has been charged in connection with the murder this weekend of Frank Whitlock. I extend my sincerest condolences to Whitlock’s sister Krissy and to his young son. ”
“Vernon has worked at the Midtown Scholar for several years and has been a dedicated employee. We hired Vernon in full realization of his criminal history but in keeping with our commitment to provide a second chance to ex-offenders trying to improve their lives. I am profoundly sad to learn he is implicated in such a tragic incident that has left another young man dead in our city.”
“I stand with our police force and our community in rededicating ourselves to ending the cycle of violence that is claiming too many young lives and leaving too many grieving and broken families. “
