Keith Lamont Blount
Media, PA – Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced that charges have been filed against Keith Lamont Blount, 59, of Philadelphia, in connection with the October 7, 2022, murder of Bartholomew Masciulli, 51, of Levittown. The defendant has been charged with criminal homicide, murder of the first and third degree, and related firearms charges. In addition, the defendant has been charged with multiple counts of assault on a law enforcement officer in connection with his apprehension by Philadelphia Police officers.
“Every homicide is a tragedy, but it is particularly shocking when this level of violence occurs in a place that we want to believe is safe – our workplaces, our schools, our houses of worship. The victim in this case had been an employee of FedEx for 28 years, and he had been assigned to evaluate the readiness of a fellow employee to become a driver for FedEx. When the defendant did not receive a positive evaluation, he decided to retaliate in the worst way possible. In committing this senseless act, he has forever deprived a family of their loved one, and he has shaken the community to its core. To compound the depravity of this act of violence, when the defendant recognized that his apprehension was imminent, he opened fire on Philadelphia Police officers. His actions are reprehensible. We will work to ensure that he is held responsible to the full extent of the law,” said District Attorney Stollsteimer.
On the afternoon of Friday, October 7, the Tinicum Township Police Department received a call for a shooting in the Cargo City area of the Philadelphia Airport. Upon arrival, officers located a silver Jeep Patriot occupied by the victim. The victim was suffering from gunshot wounds to his face, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene by staff from the Chester Crozer Medical Center. The scene was secured, and five 9mm fired cartridge casings were located approximately 50 feet behind the vehicle.
Detectives David Tyler and Michael Jay of the Criminal Investigation Division were brought in to assist with the investigation. A witness reported observing a black male speaking to the driver of a silver Jeep. The witness stated that the male actor stepped back from the vehicle, pulled a firearm, and fired five rounds into the silver Jeep. The actor the entered a Honda Accord and fled the scene. A second witness reported seeing a black male approach the silver Jeep as it was preparing to leave the parking lot. The witness observed the individual point his right hand into the window and then the witness heard five shots. Another witness stated that he knew the defendant, and that the defendant had recently been in training to become a driver, and the victim was a driver training instructor. The witness was able to positively identify the defendant from a photo array. Review of documents provided by FedEx confirm that the victim had evaluated the defendant on August 29 and September 2, and the victim did not approve the defendant to be a FedEx driver.
Security camera footage in the area of the shooting was examined, and a silver Honda Accord can be observed in that area for approximately two hours prior to the shooting. Using information obtained from the vehicle, it was determined that it was associated with an address in Philadelphia. Further investigation revealed that the defendant resided at the address associated with the vehicle. Information about the vehicle was distributed to surrounding law enforcement agencies, including the Philadelphia Police Department.
At approximately 5:45pm, the defendant opened fire on two Philadelphia Police officers traveling in a marked patrol vehicle on 3300 N. 10th Street. Four additional officers responded and observed the defendant in the middle of 10th Street armed with a firearm. The defendant fired on the officers, and the officers responded, wounding the defendant. He was transported to Temple University Hospital. A search warrant was obtained, and a fired cartridge casing, a 9mm Ruger firearm, and additional ammunition was recovered. Examination determined that the fired cartridge casings recovered from the scene in Tinicum had been discharged from the 9mm Ruger recovered form the defendant’s vehicle.
“I want to commend the work of the Tinicum Township Police Department, particularly Chief James Simpkins and Detective Sergeant William Righter, and Criminal Investigation Division Detective David Tyler for their work in bringing today’s charges. I also want to commend the officers of the Philadelphia Police Department for their assistance in apprehending the defendant,” said Stollsteimer.
The defendant is currently being held without bail in Philadelphia, but will be transferred to the George W. Hill Correctional facility.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
The District Attorney and the Criminal Investigations Division remind anyone in Delaware County who observes suspicious activity to call 911 immediately and provide the most specific and accurate details possible to assist law enforcement agencies investigating the call for service.
For more information contact Margie McAboy, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, 610-579-0429.