Teen Accused Of Robbing, Killing Grandfather To Buy Tattoos And A Cellphone

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Apr 1, 2013 7:20PM

Police have arrested a 19-year-old man and charged him with the murder of his 72-year-old grandfather, who was robbed and shot while leaving his home for kidney dialysis.

Police say William Strickland, 72, was shot six times in the back by his namesake grandson William Strickland, 19. Prosecutors say the accused Strickland used his grandfather's semi-automatic gun to shoot him, then used the stolen money to pay for new gym shoes, a cellphone and tattoos.

The elder Strickland was leaving his home around 3:30 a.m. on March 2 to take a Pace paratransit van to his regular Saturday morning kidney dialysis treatment when he was ambushed by two men who were waiting outside his door. The robbers took a bag containing a pillow for his dialysis treatment and his wallet. Three gold chains were still on his neck, and his cell phone was still in his pocket.

At the time the victim's daughter Lesley Strickland said she didn't think it was just a random robbery. Neighbors say the 19-year-old William Strickland was living with his grandfather at the time of the incident. Strickland is charged with first degree murder and armed robbery. A second assailant has not been arrested.