Shirley Barnes, the wife of the wounded carpenter, made an
appeal to the person who shot her husband, asking that they
surrender to authorities.
Mrs. Barnes is flanked by her relatives and PHA Executive Director
Carl Greene.
Carpenters Union representative Mark Durkalec appeals for the
public's help in finding the gunman who wounded Rodney Barnes as
PHA Executive Director Carl Greene looks on.
John Apeldorn, Citizens Crime Commission President, urges
anyone with information on the wounding of Rodney Barnes to call
215-546-TIPS (8477).
The Philadelphia Housing Authority, the Carpenters Union and the
Citizens Crime Commission announced today that a $10,000 reward is
being offered for information that leads to the arrest and
conviction of the person responsible for the shooting of
46-year-old Rodney Barnes.
Mr. Barnes was shot in the back of the head Saturday afternoon
on the 2300 block of Norris Street while working on a PHA
weatherization and maintenance crew at Raymond Rosen Manor in North
Philadelphia. He remains in critical condition at Temple
Hospital.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority and the Carpenter's Union are
contributing $5000 each for the total $10,000 reward that is being
administered by the Citizens Crime Commission.
With the victim's family in attendance, PHA Executive Carl
Greene reflected on the events of the past weekend.
"On Saturday, in the early afternoon, we received word of a
senseless act of violence that left a good man fighting for his
life. Rodney Barnes was working hard, in service to the public, to
provide for his family, including four children. We want to help
police catch the person responsible for this act."
Barnes has been a member of the Carpenters Union since 1998 and
began working as a member of PHA's Maintenance WAVE (weatherization
and value enhancement) crew this spring.
Carpenters Union representative Mark Durkalec added, "Our
thoughts and prayers go out to the Barnes family. Rodney was a
valued member of our union and a man trying to do an honest day's
work. Please anyone who has any information, come forward."
Showing tremendous strength and courage, the victim's wife,
Shirley Barnes, also spoke at this morning's event.
Addressing members of the Raymond Rosen community and others
impacted by crime she said, "You can change your way of thinking.
You don't have to live in fear. We don't have to be what our past
was. That's what Rodney would want me to tell you today."
Mrs. Barnes also directed some comments to the perpetrator of
this senseless act.
"To the young man or woman who did this, we are praying for you.
We hope God will touch your heart and you will turn yourself
in."
Anyone with any information about the shooting is encouraged to
call 215-546-TIPS (8477). Their identity will be confidential.
