Murder suspect
finally arrested

Nearly three months after a shooting at a Lower Northeast nightclub claimed the life of a man described as an innocent party, police have captured the suspected gunman.
Community tips helped them find the alleged killer.
Philadelphia homicide detectives and U.S. marshals on Friday morning moved on a home at an undisclosed location in West Philadelphia where 24-year-old Aaron Blue had allegedly been hiding out.
At first, Blue tried to give authorities a false name, said homicide Detective Greg Santamala. But he soon surrendered without a fuss.
Blue was charged with murdering Jared Taylor, 29, of the 600 block of Levick St.
According to court records, Blue has past criminal convictions related to drugs and guns and was on probation at the time of Friday’s arrest.
Investigators did not recover the suspected murder weapon and have been told that Blue may have dropped it near the scene. The shooting occurred Feb. 24 outside of the Empty Glass Bar at Adams Avenue and Claridge Street.
An argument broke out inside the bar shortly before closing time that morning. Taylor had met relatives and friends there to celebrate a birthday and was not involved in the initial dispute, witnesses said.
As the arguing escalated outside, Taylor was one of several men who attempted to break things up, according to Santamala. Blue allegedly pulled out a gun and fired a series of shots, striking Taylor once in the upper arm and once in the shoulder. The second slug penetrated his upper torso and led to his death.
Witnesses soon identified Blue but investigators were unable to find him. They obtained an arrest warrant for Blue, who had numerous prior addresses on file with police, and released his photo to the news media in hope of generating new leads.
Taylor’s family, including parents William Thompson and Elizabeth Taylor-Thompson, along with wife Malika Taylor, spoke to the Northeast Times for a profile of the case appearing in May 3 editions of the newspaper.
According to Santamala, investigators received numerous calls about the case, which helped lead them to the suspect. ••