Carl Hessler Jr.

WILLOW GROVE MAN, PHILLY MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER 53-YEAR-OLD SHOT IN HEAD IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA Two men, including a Montgomery County resident, are facing murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 53-year-old man in North Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police identified the defendants as Edward Hobson, 36, of Willow Grove, and Anthony Roberts, 40, of Philadelphia. The shooting occurred on Monday, October 19, 2026, at approximately 9:41 p.m. on the 2300 block of North 16th Street. Officers responding to a report of a person with a gun discovered Saud Clark, 53, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Police rushed Clark to Temple University Hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, Clark died the following evening, October 20, at approximately 6:31 p.m. The Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit subsequently took over the investigation. Investigators arrested both Hobson and Roberts and recovered firearms in connection with the case. On October 22, prosecutors approved multiple charges against both defendants, including murder, criminal conspiracy, firearms violations, possession of an instrument of crime, and recklessly endangering another person. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive or detailed the circumstances leading up to the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.