Norristown Man Charged With Ordering Hit on Romantic Rival

According to a release issued by the Montgomery County District Attorney's office, DA Risa Vetri Ferman and Chief Russell J. Bono announce the arrest of Tyuan Simon for his role in the Oct. 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 Oct. 19, 2010 at around 10 p.m., Norristown Police responded to the 1100 Block of Swede Street in Norristown for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found the lifeless body of 34-year-old Philadelphia resident Tyree Whiting. Whiting was shot numerous times. On Oct. 20, 2010, Montgomery County Coroner, Dr. 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's Division commenced a joint investigation into Whiting's death that continued through 2012. During the early stages of the investigation, police received information that a suspect known as "L.B." was responsible for Whiting's death. Detectives determined that "L.B." is Bruce Woods, Jr. Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned from several concerned citizens that Tyuan Simon hired Woods to murder the victim. and related charges in the crime.

Whiting and Tyuan Simon previously dated the same Norristown-area woman and, prior to his death, the two were in conflict over the mutual relationship with this female. This conflict continued until the time of the murder.

On Oct. 19, 2010, authorities say Simon and Woods spoke at on the 1000 Block of Willow Street and during their 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 that he would murder Whiting for $10,000. Several witnesses recounted conversations with Simon after the murder where Simon indicated that he picked Woods because Woods was known for following what others told him to do.

At 9:46 p.m. on the same night, the victim left Uptown's Roo House Tavern headed toward Swede Street. Woods followed Whiting from the bar where he pulled a Ruger 9mm pistol and demanded he empty his pockets. Whiting reportedly turned over cash and a small baggie of suspected drugs. After he turned over the items, Whiting ran and Woods fired at him, hitting him. When Whiting fell to the ground, Woods stood over him and fired several more shots into Whiting, killing him.

On Aug. 1, 2012, Bruce Woods, Jr. 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 Tyree Whiting on Oct. 19, 2010 at the direction of, and after an agreement with, Tyuan Simon, who had put a $10,000 price on Whiting's head. Woods faces up to 77-154 years in prison as a result of his plea.

Simon was arrested on Thursday, Aug. 2, at the State Correctional Institute at Forest where he was already serving a prison sentence. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Kathleen Valentine the same day. Since the defendant remains a state prisoner, he was remanded to the State Correctional Institute at Graterford without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Margaret A. Hunsicker. 

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

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