Suspect In Fatal Assault At South Philly Park Arrested

PHILADELPHIA — The suspect in a fatal assault at a South Philadelphia park has been arrested after turning himself in to police, according to Philadelphia Police.

Matthew Oropeza, 24, of Philadelphia surrendered to police Thursday in connection with the death of 38-year-old Drew Justice in Gold Star Park on Saturday, Jan. 5, police said.

Oropeza has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. A photo is not available at this time.

Justice, who lives near the park, died of "blunt impact trauma injury to the head," according to Philly.com.

The incident unfolded when Justice, who was with his fiance at the time, asked another man — believed to be Oropeza — to put a dog on its leash while in the park at about 9:12 p.m., police said.

An argument broke out and Oropeza allegedly punched Justice in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the concrete ground.

Justice was taken to Jefferson Hospital and pronounced dead at 9:51 p.m., according to police.

Patch has reached out to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office for more information and will update the story when details are made available.

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