Alleged killer behind bars

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Just three days after two locals were stabbed to death, police apprehended a suspect.

Omar Johnson, 31, was arrested at 11:45 a.m. Friday when authorities spotted him at Broad and Moore streets, Homicide Capt. James Clark said during Friday’s press conference at police headquarters. He resisted arrest, but was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Although police originally reported him to be from the 2600 block of South Bancroft Street, Johnson is from the 1500 block of Conlyn Street in North Philly. Johnson was charged with two counts of murder for allegedly killing Eugene Zappacosta, 78, and Janet Burgess, 50, both of the 1300 block of Dickinson Street. Both, Clark said, were “brutally stabbed to death along with two small puppies who were also stabbed and bludgeoned to death.”

He is believed to have had a verbal confrontation of an unknown nature with Burgess in Zappacosta’s Passyunk Square apartment, which was where she was staying, at about 9:52 a.m. Jan. 10, Clark said. The fight turned physical and Johnson is believed to have grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Burgess multiple times. When Zappacosta tried to intervene, he also was killed. The dogs were barking loudly and are believed to have become victims as well in order to not tip off neighbors.

Formerly of the 2500 block of Federal Street, Johnson also was charged with two counts each of causing catastrophe, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person and one count of resisting arrest. He was held without bail, according to court records.

He previously has pled guilty or been convicted of various drug, robbery and forgery charges dating back to 1995 and spanning Philadelphia, Delaware and Lehigh counties, according to court records.

Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.

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