Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Norristown Police Chief Russell J. Bono announced the arrest of Tyuan Simon for his role in the October 19, 2010, killing of Tyree Whiting.

Simon is charged with first-degree murder, criminal solicitation to commit murder, criminal conspiracy to commit murder and related charges.

On October 19, 2010, around 10 p.m., Norristown Police responded to the 1100 Block of Swede Street in the Municipality of Norristown to the report of shots fired.

Upon their arrival, they found the lifeless body of Whiting, 34. Whiting was shot numerous times.

On October 20, 2010, Montgomery County Coroner Walter I. Hoffman performed an autopsy of Whiting and determined that the cause of death was multiple gun shot wounds and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The Montgomery County Detective Bureau and the Norristown Police Department Detective Division commenced a joint investigation into the death of Whiting, which has continued throughout 2011 and 2012.

During the early stages of the investigation, police received information that “L.B.” was responsible for shooting the victim.

Detectives determined that “L.B.” is Bruce Woods, Jr. Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned from several concerned citizens that Simon hired Bruce Woods Jr. to murder the victim.

The victim and Tyuan Simon previously dated the same female from the Norristown area. Prior to his death, the victim and Simon were in conflict over the mutual relationship with this female. This conflict continued until the time of the murder.

On October 19, 2010, Simon and Woods spoke at the Uptown Roo House Tavern on the 1000 Block of Willow Street, Norristown.

During this conversation, Simon told Woods that the victim provided information against Simon to the police.

Simon further told Woods that he had a “dime” (street slang for $10,000) on the victim’s head.

Woods told Simon he would murder Whiting for $10,000. Several witnesses recounted conversations after the murder with Simon where Simon indicated that he picked Woods because Woods was known for following what others told him to do.

At 9:46 p.m., the victim left the Roo House Tavern headed toward Swede Street. Woods followed the victim from the Roo House Tavern to Swede Street where he pulled a Ruger 9mm pistol and demanded the victim empty his pockets.

The victim turned over cash and a small baggie of suspected drugs. After he turned over the items, the victim ran from Woods.

Woods fired at the victim, ultimately hitting him. When the victim fell to the ground, Woods stood over him and fired several more shots into the victim, killing him.

Last Wednesday, August 1, Woods entered a guilty plea to third degree murder, criminal conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of robbery, possession of a firearm and related offenses.

Woods admitted to killing Whiting on October 19, 2010, at the direction of and after an agreement with Simon, who had put a hit on the victim. Woods faces up 77–154 years in prison as a result of his plea.

Simon was arrested last Thursday at the State Correctional Institute at Forest where he was serving a prison sentence. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Kathleen Valentine on August 2.

Since the defendant remains a State prisoner he was remanded to the State Correctional Institute at Graterford without bail. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, August 10, at 10 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Margaret A. Hunsicker.

Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Quigg and Jeremy Abidiwan-Lupo will prosecute the defendant.