Pa. police release video of deadly purse-snatching

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Philadelphia police released surveillance footage on Thursday that shows the shooting death of a young woman in a robbery-turned-homicide, reports CBS Philadelphia.

Authorities said Amber Long, 26, was shot by an assailant around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday while walking down the street with her mother in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. Police released the surveillance video in an attempt to get help identifying her killers.

The victim's mother, Stephanie Long, reportedly said Amber was killed when she refused to give up her purse.

“I believe the men saw them and thought they were easy targets,” Philadelphia Police Captain James Clark told reporters Monday afternoon.

Witnesses reported to police seeing a man jump out of a black or dark-colored Chevy Impala just before the incident occurred.

“We believe from witnesses that the motive for the shooting was a robbery. We believe that the female’s purse was taken by one of two males,” said Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.

“It was so senseless… we had just bought that purse earlier yesterday (Sunday) for $14 and she wouldn’t let go of it and they shot her. There was no reason. There was no point,” said Stephanie Long.

Police say that one of the assailants shot Amber Long in the chest. She was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.