Police arrest West Philadelphia murder suspect after chase, crash

Officers arrested a murder suspect and her boyfriend Wednesday evening following a brief car chase and crash in Overbrook, police said.

The collision occurred just after 6:15 p.m. at 57th and Oxford streets, and 27-year-old Tiania Johnson, who is set to be charged in connection with a fatal shooting last month, was hospitalized in critical condition, according to authorities.

Jabreel Butler, 31, the man investigators believe to be her romantic partner and also a person of interest in the homicide, suffered serious injuries in the crash but is expected to survive, police said.

A 16-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy were also in the backseat of the car. Police said their injuries are not life-threatening.

Johnson is set to be charged with murder in relation to the killing of 35-year-old Michael Gillians, and authorities said an arrest warrant had been issued prior to the chase. Gillians died after being shot multiple times on the morning of Friday, July 21, on the 6300 block of Vine Street in West Philadelphia.

Investigators said Butler also had an active warrant for a prior offense, and he is expected to be charged with violating firearms laws and fleeing police.

Earlier Wednesday, homicide attempted to locate Johnson but were unsuccessful, according to police. Authorities said they did find a Lincoln MKX suspected of belonging to Johnson and Butler near the 4800 block of Wyalusing Avenue in the Mill Creek neighborhood.

Patrol officers in West Philadelphia were told to look out for the vehicle, which led to Wednesday night’s pursuit.

Legal representation for Johnson and Butler could not be identified Thursday.