Norristown Man Started Gunfight That Left Neighbor Dead: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — A Norristown man was arrested by US Marshals in Delaware County on Thursday in connection with the killing of his neighbor inside his home last November.

Khalif Sinclair, 23, of Norristown, faces both first and third degree murder charges in the killing of 21-year-old Abdur Small. Though it was determined that bullets from Sinclair’s gun did not kill Small, Sinclair started a gunfight which led to the killing, police said.

The incident occurred back on Nov. 20, 2020 on the 600 block of West Lafayette Street.

>>Man Killed In Living Room Of Norristown Home: DA

Sinclair, who lived next door, became involved in an argument with Small and others inside his home that day, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Just one day before, he'd been served with a protection from abuse order by police.

It's not clear what started the altercation, but a criminal complaint indicates that Sinclair wanted one of the other residents of the home to come out and fight him at around 2:45 p.m., officials said. There were six people inside the home, including Smith and two children.

However, the other resident refused to leave Small was taken by ambulance to Suburban Community Hospital, and later flown to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. the home, police said. Witnesses told police that Sinclair said "there are kids up in the house, you don't want me to come up in there," according to the criminal complaint.

Khalif returned about three hours later, at 5:45 p.m., and fired two shots from his handgun into the home, police said.

Residents inside returned fire, and one of the bullets fired from inside the home struck Smith in the head, authorities said.

Small was taken by ambulance to Suburban Community Hospital, and later flown to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. He was pronounced dead the next day.

“If (Sinclair) had not gone to the door of that residence, armed with a handgun and then fired into the residence, the other occupant of the house would not have fired his weapon in self-defense, and Small would still be alive today," DA Kevin Steele said.

An investigation including witnesses and surveillance video led police to Sinclair, and an arrest warrant was issued on Dec. 18. U.S. Marshals arrested him in Marcus Hook in Delaware County on Thursday.

No bail is available for first degree murder charges. Sinclair was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 14.