Putting up a good fight

Police arrested a man shortly after he allegedly tried to rape a woman 4 a.m. May 29 on the 1500 block of South 21st Street. The alleged perpetrator was not successful because the lady fought back.

Kenyell Worrell, 27, from the 2200 block of Fitzwater Street, was charged with attempted rape, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and indecent assault, according to Capt. John Darby of the Special Victims Unit.

The 45-year-old was walking on the block when Worrell approached her from behind, grabbed her by the neck, punched her in the face and forced her to the ground, the captain said.

Police said the suspect pulled a condom out of his pocket and the woman began kicking and screaming, and was able to get to her feet and run away. The suspect pursued the victim a short distance and grabbed her hair, with the woman continuing to put up a fight and scream until the man gave up and ran off, police said.

The victim called police and was able to give a solid description of her alleged attacker, who 17th District officers stopped at 21st and Tasker streets shortly after the incident.

Fatal bullet to the face

A 19-year-old who was shot in the left side of his face Sunday night hung on for about 12 hours before he died at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Police found Najee Gilliard laying on the 900 block of South Fifth Street at about 9:20 p.m., Officer Jill Russell of the Police Public Affairs Unit said.

The resident of the 400 block of Daly Street succumbed to his wounds 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Homicide detectives have no motive or suspects in the slaying.

To report information, call the Homicide Division at 215-686-3334/5.

Critically wounded

Seventeenth District officers responding to a radio call of a shooting at 11:25 p.m. Monday outside on the 1600 block of Reed Street found a 28-year-old woman gunned down.

The victim sustained gunshots to both shoulders and abdomen and was rushed to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in critical but stable condition, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detective Division said. Police recovered one 9mm casing at the scene along with two projectiles.

A witness said two males with silver-and-black handguns approached the woman and demanded money. After turning over her car keys, the witness saw a muzzle flash and the woman getting shot, Morley said.

The offenders were described as black, in their late 20s. One was about 5-foot-10 with a dark complexion and light-colored shirt; the other was about 5-foot-11 with a stocky build, dark skin and wearing a dark shirt.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

Robbed leaving club

A 33-year-old female and 30-year-old male were heldup at gunpoint while leaving an after-hours club at 4:10 a.m. Saturday.

The male walked the female to her car parked outside Frantic Social Club, 2400 S. 24th St., then stopped at the driver-side door to talk to her when she got in, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detective Division said. The offender approached, produced a gun and announced a stickup.

Going through the man’s pockets, he swiped $20 and snatched a gold chain from his neck, Morley said. The perpetrator ordered the woman to turn over her pocketbook and, when she wouldn’t, tried to drag her out of the vehicle. A witness alerted club security and, when security came running out, the robber fled in a silver or gray Chevy in an unknown direction.

The offender was described as black, in his 20s, about 5-foot-9 with a medium-build, medium complexion and cleanshaven.

Mugged at gunpoint

Two 24-year-olds were heldup by a gun-toting male at about 10 a.m. Sunday. The male and female victims were walking on the 700 block of Cleveland Street when danger approached, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detectives said.

The woman surrendered her purse containing $5 and credit cards, while the man gave up his wallet containing $10 and credit cards.

The offender took off on foot in an unknown direction.

Held for court in Geno’s attack

The two men who allegedly assaulted a Geno’s Steaks employee Dec. 27 had their day in court Monday.

Kevin Bacci, 19, of Devon, and Michael Morrison, 21, of Berwyn, were ordered to stand trial at their preliminary hearing, Assistant District Attorney Dawn Holtz told the Review. Both are charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and related offenses after they attacked a 32-year-old steakshop employee outside the Ninth Street eatery after he noticed them verbally abusing a fellow employee at the window at about 6:30 a.m., police said.

When the victim confronted the pair, Bacci allegedly picked him up, placed him upside down and threw him into the ground head-first several times. The victim was rendered unconscious and suffered broken bones, a fractured vertebra and some hearing loss.

Bacci and Morrison will be arraigned June 23.

Bad blood

Police arrested a man after he allegedly sliced up his sibling inside their dwelling on the 2000 block of Fifth Street.

Investigators have not determined a motive for the 6 p.m. Tuesday attack in which Joseph Maldonado, 35, was charged with aggravated and simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person, Officer Jill Russell of the Police Public Affairs Unit said.

The two were feuding when the suspect allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and cut the 33-year-old on his left hand, chest and knee, Russell said. The victim was treated and released from Methodist Hospital and the blade was recovered.

Community meeting set

The 1st District is hosting a community meeting 6 p.m. June 10 at 24th and Wolf streets.

Residents are encouraged to come and voice concerns to police officials. Capt. Thomas Davidson will be in attendance.

For more information, call 215-686-3010.

Giving back

Forget Le Bec Fin, because Peace Not Guns founder Kenyatta Johnson has another idea — and he’s dubbed it "Le Bec Soul."

For the second year in a row, students of G.W. Childs Elementary will be treated to fine dining and a message when the school cafeteria at 17th and Tasker streets morphs into a fancy restaurant from 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow for the annual Young Men’s Leadership Banquet.

"The purpose of the banquet is to provide students in attendance the opportunity to listen and speak with positive African-American male role models while experiencing exquisite soul food cuisine," Childs alum Johnson, of Point Breeze, said.

As in previous years, students were chosen to participate by Principal Alphonso Evans and are required to wear a tie and jacket.

Guests include Sharif Street, Esq., son of former Mayor John Street; real estate lawyer Damon Roberts; and Traffic Court Judge Willie Singletary. The keynote speaker is 33-year-old Dr. Keith Leaphart of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Sponsored by Booth & Tucker Law Firm and the Transportation Workers Union Community Partnership, the banquet will be catered by Eatable Delights.

"In an environment where African-American young men are losing their lives as a result of gun violence, we at Peace Not Guns believe it is imperative to plant positive seeds of encouragement in the next generation. We have an obligation to raise this new village," Johnson, the democratic nominee for the 186th District state representative seat, said.

Established in 1998, Peace Not Guns is a violence prevention program that teaches children conflict resolution and anti-gun education.