A man has been apprehended in connection with the murder of openly gay Philadelphia journalist Josh Kruger. Kruger was tragically shot seven times in his home earlier this month, and local law enforcement has arrested 19-year-old Robert Davis, who had been evading capture for two weeks.
In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Davis’s mother, Damica Davis, disclosed that her son eventually returned to their family home by entering through a window and sought assistance from his brothers. She noted that he appeared to be experiencing a mental breakdown and was anxious about potential charges he might face.
According to Davis’s older brother, Jaylin Reason, Robert seemed to be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. Their attempt to calm him down resulted in a physical altercation. The family ultimately decided that the best course of action was to assist Robert in surrendering to the authorities.
On October 26th, Davis was charged with several offenses, including murder, illegal firearm possession, and tampering with evidence. He had been identified as a suspect in the murder of Josh Kruger shortly after the journalist’s tragic death.
Josh Kruger used his journalism as a platform to advocate for the most vulnerable members of his community, including homeless individuals, those battling addiction, and LGBTQ+ community members. Kruger had personal experience with homelessness, HIV, trauma, poverty, and Philadelphia’s “street economy,” all of which he addressed in his work for publications such as The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Citizen, and LGBTQ Nation.
Damica Davis, Robert’s mother, has alleged to local media that her son was also a victim. She and Jaylin Reason assert that Robert had a relationship with Josh Kruger when Robert was just 15 years old, and Kruger was an adult. They have suggested that Robert’s life began to unravel as he attempted to keep his relationship with Kruger and his subsequent struggles with addiction hidden.
In recent interviews, Damica has alleged that Kruger had been blackmailing her son, threatening to release explicit videos of him online. A preliminary hearing for Robert Davis has been scheduled for November 13th.
