Rittenhouse Stabbing Suspect Charged With Murder: Police

PHILADELPHIA – A 20-year-old Philadelphia man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the stabbing death of Sean Schellinger, 37, in Rittenhouse Square last week, Philadelphia Police said.

According to police, Michael White, of the 5600 block of Hadfield Street, was arrested and charged with murder and possession of an instrument of crime.

White surrendered himself to police on Saturday, July 14, police said.

He is being held after being denied bail at his preliminary arraignment.

He is slated to appear for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 1, court records show.

White is accused of stabbing and killing Schellinger on the evening of Thursday, July 12 at Chancellor and South 17th streets.

Schellinger was stabbed once in the back after getting into an altercation with a man on a bike, believed to be White, police said.

Schellinger was rushed to Jefferson Hospital and pronounced dead at 11:21 p.m., according to police.
It all stemmed from a traffic issue, police said.

He and two other men were in a vehicle heading east on Chancellor Street when traffic got snarled at 17th Street.

Schellinger and the tow other men got out of their vehicle to try to clear the jam, according to police.

That's when police said the White rode up to the scene.

Words were exchanged between White and Schellinger and an altercation then ensued, police said.

White – believed to be delivering food – then pulled out a large knife and stabbed Schellinger once in the back, police said.

Police said White fled heading north in the Rittenhouse Square area, leaving his bike and a food delivery bag.

The suspect is described as a black man standing 6 feet tall with a light complexion and medium build. He was wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts, police said.

Police said one of the two men with Schellinger left the scene before police arrive and authorities are urging him, as well as any other witnesses, to contact the homicide department.

The driver of the vehicle has been cooperating with police.

According to Philly.com, Schellinger was an "emerging Philadelphia developer" whose firm Streamline Group LLC has been building new developments in the city.

Image via Philadelphia Police