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Dula Charged with First Degree Murder After Altercation Monday Night in North Hills

After altercation on the 70 block of North Hills Avenue in North Hills, Andre Dula has been remanded to Montgomery County Correctional Facility and is charged with first degree murder.

 

From the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office:

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Abington Township Police Chief William J. Kelly announce the arrest of Andre Dula for the killing of Willam Butler. Dula is charged with first degree murder and related charges.

On Tuesday, July 17 at 9:33 p.m., Abington Township Police responded to a reported shooting incident in the area of 77 North Hills Avenue in the North Hills section of Abington Township. After police arrived they learned that the shooting victim, William Butler, age 27, was transported to Abington Hospital by private vehicle for treatment of a gunshot wound. Despite their attempts emergency personnel were not able to save the victim and he was pronounced dead at 10:58 p.m.

The Abington Township Police Department and the Montgomery County Detectives commenced a joint homicide investigation into Butler’s death. The roadway in the 70 block of North Hills Avenue was secured as a crime scene.

Montgomery County Detectives and Abington Township Detectives interviewed a number of witnesses that assisted police. They told police that there was an ongoing dispute between the defendant and the victim. Prior to the shooting the defendant had made threats to shoot the victim. While in the area of 77 North Hills Avenue there was an altercation between the victim and the defendant. Also, witnesses observed the defendant pull out a handgun and then saw the victim run away from the defendant. Witnesses saw the defendant chase, point the gun at the victim and then heard three shots being fired.

On Wednesday, July 18, the Montgomery County Coroner, Doctor Walter Hofman, performed an autopsy on the body of William Butler. Following the autopsy, Doctor Hofman opined that the cause of Butler’s death was a gunshot wound of the back.

The defendant was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Juanita Price. The defendant was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 25.

Related Topics: Andre Dules, Montgomery County District Attorney, abington, first degree murder, and north hills

mr. smith

5:16 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Rip Ben!!!! We all love you <3 watch over your girls & family and all of us!!!!

Jim E

5:28 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Right nearby. Sounded like 5 shots to me. Looks like we didn't move far enough away from Philly.

Er

5:41 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

At Jim guess you didn't I went to high school with Ben and he was a great person! RIP Ben you will be missed!!

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JS

6:44 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

hes goin down whether u like it or not. sorry but its the truth.

Smitty

5:55 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

RIP Ben :( You will be missed over here in Crestmont young homie.

mr. smith

5:57 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I went to school with Ben as well since 98... Great man, great father, son, brother, and friend. You will truly be missed!!! Good job Abington!!!! Let justice be served!!!!

5/27

6:05 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I've kwn the family since we were little kids. Ben was such a cool person. This is so sad. Guns don't make u a man. Now this children r left fatherless and for what? Smh.
5/27

kesh

6:07 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Sad to keep hearing of these black man killing one another over nothing didt know mr,butler but rip and I will pray for his whole family

RIP BEN

6:11 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Rip Ben we will miss you! ur an angel n the skies so watch over all of us n we will always remember BANG MUSIC ENT. bsoundz!

Bsoundz#1fan

6:22 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Wish we still lived in the "eye for an eye" era still, B was an amazing father, and an amazing friend. I will always love and miss him. We lost a very special and talented person who was.always full of good spirit and trying to get out of the "hood" to make a better life for himself and his family...I love ya baby, keep watching over us, your #1 fan..Deanna

Bsoundz#1fan

6:31 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

PS JOHN DOE...YOUR A SICK INDIVIDUAL TO SUPPORT A COLD BLOODED KILLER LIKE THAT..HOPE HIS ACTIONS HANG OVER HIS CONSCIENCE N KILLS HIM INSIDE, AND HAUNT HIM FOREVER! I HOPE THAT HE, LIKE BEN, WILL NEVER SEE HIS KIDS AGAIN, AND SUFFERS ALONE IN THE WORST JAIL!

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practicewhatupreach

1:45 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

If a person come looking for trouble...trouble finds them! Everybody wanted to play "tough tony" and go to Dula place of resident....so this is the end result! Ben had a gun too!

Weloveyoudula

6:32 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I don't agree with what happened, but dula his family and his son are in my prayers. Both of these young men are hypothetically gone and will be missed. This goes to show its a cruel world. Rip Ben and also stay strong Dula.

Dj

6:36 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

What comes around goes around.

kev d

6:36 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

who shoots anybody in abington thats what r u beefing for u live in abington.

kev d

6:38 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

then u shoot the man in his back the bul dula or whoever he is a cold nut.

Ben's Friend

6:39 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Dula deserves the cruelest punishment. You do stupid things, you will pay the price. Dula you didn't have to shoot him down in cold blood.

JS

6:40 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I don't understand why stupid arguments have to end like this. It's ridiculous! It's bad enough that one life was lost, but do these people realize that there are other inncocent people around including our kids! This stuff has got to stop! I'm so sick of hearing people die on the news and over what..? A girl? really!?!? Is it really worth it!?

Dj

6:43 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

If you knew dula you would know he is NOT a cold blooded killer. Everybody lost a loved one, both families are in my prayers. This should be a lesson to others! Life is to short.

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Mikes thoughts

12:53 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

sorry but if you can chase someone and shoot them in the back and kill them u are COLD blooded and by action a killer

Ben's Friend

6:47 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

John Doe,

How can you say "Dula keep your head up" after what he did, he needs to be ashamed and keep his head down. Who the hell shots someone from the back.

Sorry to Dula's family and friends but he took someone's life and I hope he pays for it. You can't be mad at me when your Dula took away an amazing father, brother, and friend.

Dula when you come to your senses, I hope you ask for forgiveness everyday of your life because only HE will judge you in the end.

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brick city

7:43 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

how can yal not talk bout what da bol ben was doin nd sayin to dula family...if someone threathened ya mom nd ya child, what u gon do...now if ben woulda did what he woulda did n da city, dat car he was in would been shot up instead of him gettin out nd chasing dula home den dula turning around n shooting ben..ben only ran cause he saw dula pulled a gun out..but if dula aint have dat gun, who knows wut would have happened.

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DD

10:20 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

really what happened to the good old hand fist fight he didnt need to bring out a gun and shoot from the back really????

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Mulla be boi Dulla

9:42 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

BEN WAS A GOOD DUDE HE SHOULD OF JUST STAYED RAPING INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BE A GANGSTER

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practicewhatupreach

1:59 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Ben had no business coming to his place of resident! Ben came looking for trouble and he found it point blank! Both families are at a lost! And both families will be inter-twinded w/a child! so the talk is what started the mess! So cut the talk! obviously Ben wasn't a tough guy, if he came to Dula on sum BS and then running! U come looking for trouble....trouble finds u!

Dula's friend

6:50 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

If situations were switched would you guys be calling Ben a cold blooded killer? I think not. What happened is a shame, people need to realize fear brings out the worst in people. Dula was a great friend, father, and son. Your real friends and family will not forget you dula. We love you.

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brick city

7:40 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

i hear what you sayin, everybody not talkin bout what da bol ben to dula nd how he threatened his fam nd all dat....

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Dot

11:37 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Certainly, if the tables were turned, the other guy would have been seen as a cold blooded killer. That's what is wrong in this current culture. "Dissing" someone is not cause for murder. If there were a threat, then call the police. Apparently, the guy who was killed had no gun. What kind of 'looking for trouble" would justify murder?

Dula's friend

6:58 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Dula does deserve whatever his punishment is, but at the end of the day I will continue to pray for my friend. You are not a cold blooded killer Andre, I will pray for you.

Banks

6:59 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I can't believe you're gone, you have always been a amazing friend to me from Elementary School to our adult hood. No matter how many days, months or years pass, it's always like we never went without seeing each other. You were a driven humble and funny guy. I can hear you saying "Whats up G" as I type, it will forever be burned in my head, I am happy to have known someone as special as you. R.I.P. Ben

SRG

7:05 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

God please bless both families and let nothing further come from this situation. Two you black men whos lives are ruined over what? Lets stop this now before anyone else gets hurt or have to go to jail. JESUS is the answer. I know everyone involved your all in my prayers and my heart goes out to the mothers, friends and families who are hurting may God be with you all.

VICKYSECRET215

7:05 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

R.I.P MR BUTLER I GREW UP CRESTMONT/ BACK DA HEIGHTS I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH WILL ITS SAD HIS LIFE WAS TAKING OVER SOMETHING STUPID AND SENSELESS I HOPE THE KILLER SUFFERS IN JAIL FOR ETERNITY I DONT FEEL BAD FOR HIM WHAT SO EVER U MADE THE CHOICE TO END ANOTHER MANS LIFE SO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES YOUR STILL HERE! MY FRIENDS NOT

faith

7:09 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

You can't say that @dula friend he made a stupid decision and for what because you were scared? To honorable thing to do was put your hands up to fight another day. Now you sitting in jail and Ben is soarin the skies while innocent kids are looking for their fathers who aren't present anymore! It was a coward move and anyone that can pick up again is a punk in my eyes... prayers go out to all the families in this trying time stay strong and hold on

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Mulla be boi Dulla

9:48 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

it was a coward move for Ben to come to dulls house with 4 dudes threading him

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RIP BEN

11:26 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@faith I agree with you 100 %
@Mulla be boi dulla you keep saying ben came to dullas house with 4 dudes? were you there? and if that was the case why didn't yall just fight and be over with it? dulla knew what he was doing when he started firing that gun.
ITS JUST SAD BECAUSE THEY BOTH HAVE KIDS AND NOW THEY ARE FATHERLESS DUE TO VIOLENCE..

RIP BENB

7:11 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

No sympathy for Dula only God makes the desicion on one's life so I hope he gets life in prison thinking about the DUMB choice he made all theses ppl telling him to keep his head up and feeling bad for him pah-lease Dula had a choice

kut kut

7:32 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I know both familys it is a shame ben was a good dude dula come from a grate family one that i got alot of love betty nell shanon mike dave yall hang in there i will be praying for boyh familys at this point thats all we can do black men be men

Ce'ra

7:44 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

R.i.P Cuzin Ben u will b missed u should not have went out the way u did ... i love yu so much i cant wait till i c ya again

MekaPrayingForBothParties

7:56 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Wow....all yaw need to get a grip. Everyone is a loser in this sad situation. Now neither one of there children have a father whc we already hv enough of. Look at the big picture people its not about whr ur from NO ONE DESERVES TO LOSE THERE LIFE.

Silhoette

8:08 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Each decision we make effects our lives. Neither man was innocent and God judges a mans heart. Ben looked for trouble and Dula acted without thinking. They both lost their futures. Its time to pick up the pieces not play the blame game. "An eye for an eye" is what got the situation outta hand in the first place. We all need to ask God for forgiveness and pray for these families who are heartbroken right now.

brick city

8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

aye free dula tho...its crazy how they force a man inna corner nd make him use drastic measures to get himself out of it..

No Sides

8:40 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

This is so very sad, when I grew up in that area we all looked out for each other, when one of us was going to do something stupid the other talked sense into him. We settled things over tackle football games to take out aggression not with guns, now ther are children that will never shoot hoops with their Dad's, never go fishing, never get the fatherly advise that they will one day need to stay out of trouble themselves. At the end of the day was the name of the street you live on so valuable that taking another human was warrented?

mr. smith

8:41 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Dula deserves whatever sentence they slap on him. Noone deserves to die.... Now the kids and families are suffering over drama.. REAL MEN USE FISTS_!!

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Mulla be boi Dulla

9:51 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

real men don't show up at someones door with 4 dudes door and expect not to be shot!!

SWEET

8:45 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

IKW THEM BOTH AND THIS IS SAD PAIN FOR TWO MOTHERZ AND TWO MAN GONE AND FR WHAT SO SAD GOD B WITH THE MOTHERZ!

Qadira

9:27 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Sorry that it had to come to this my prayers and sympathy goes out to the Butler's family.. But on some real who is to day this whole situation took place..So I am go to make DU'A for both families.

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Silhoette

11:11 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

He who is without sin cast the first stone. Everybody in the equation was wrong and if you died today with your heart filled with hatred you wouldn't make it through the gates of heaven. Be careful of what you wish on people because the same sad scenario could end up on your doorstep!

t

10:11 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I'm sorry but unless his family was In imminent danger he was in the wrong. Whatever happened to the days we men could beat someone into submission to solve our problems only pansies threaten peoples families and use guns. I don't know what started the dispute but both these men were wrong in their actions but dula took it to far I hope the gets what he deserves but I'll pray for both families and dear friends.

Cahoju

10:23 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I live on North Hills Ave and it's scary to hear about this. We moved to Abington because we heard it was a safe community. We use the train station regularly and it's unnerving to hear about the crime that goes on on that block.

VICKYSECRET215

10:23 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

R.I.P WILL MY CONDOLENCES TO THE BUTLER FAMILY MY PRAYERS ARE FOREVER WITH YOU. I ONLY KNOW WILL I DID NOT KNOW THE KILLER ITS SAD THE KIDS LOST A FATHER BUT SHOOTING SOMEONE IN THE BACK THOUGH IS JUST COWARDLY THATS ALL I CAN SAY!

byedula

10:35 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Ain't no free dula !!! He killed my big brother let me kill YA brother then we can talk

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Mulla be boi Dulla

9:56 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

ya bro should of just been a rapper and not try to be a gangster

MP3

10:38 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I know both families. This is my town. We are at a lost. Both families are hurting. We are not to judge. God does dat. Have some repect for the mothers of these boys. U don't know how it feel to loose a child till u loose one. An y'all on here wit the nonsense about who was at fault. Again like I said we are all VICTIMS of " he said she said" How bout!!!
" GOD SAID" #TEAMNORTHHILLSBEN+DULAASONE#

Silhoette

10:40 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

We need a resolution. Its 2012..we shouldn't still be slaughtering and beating each other like animals. God intended us to love and nurture one another. When will it stop?!...we need our BLACK brothers. Sick of losing our men to the prison system and the grave. Praying hard for both families...heart heavy.smh

Kate the great!

11:24 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Seriously, most of the people making comments on here, can't even spell/use proper grammar. This is the 2nd shooting in the past 2 months right in that area. I think it's time you all take your section 8 housing vouchers back to philly. And let the people who can actually afford to live in the suburbs enjoy there lives, which they worked there asses off to get to a better place. Philly born and raised and I moved to get away from situations like this. SMH

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Smitty

8:49 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Please learn the history of a place before you start talking! First off, the incident that you say happened 2 months ago happened five months ago. A LOT of people posting on here went to school with them and grow up with them as well. Please note they were not BLACK. Secondly, section 8 houses in the 80’s and 90’s and some even still to this day were/are BLACK owned and the people posting on here are descendants of the owners. Most of the families of the so called (section 8 people) << (you clearly want to say BLACK people here) have been here before you even knew this place existed. So if you do not like it here you can move to a different part of Abington. Oh but you probably could not afford that :)

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Love25

8:53 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Thank god someone said something about how people are writing, this is a sad story, no one deserves to die period. I would like to read people's comments, but I can't understand them. They aren't even using real words. How do people not know how to spell?

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Jeanne

9:46 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

their lives...since you commented about grammar.

Cocoa Sueño

11:54 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

@ Kate...YOU said people should take their section 8 vouchers back to Philly. But the people you speak of were born and raised here unlike your self. Maybe you should move back. This is our home! Smh

MP3

11:59 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Kate the great. I understand what ur saying an how u feel. I was born an raised thr. My family own homes out thr as well as thrs did... An yes i said Homes!!!!!Never section8. An the boys that are involved both Come from wealthy families as well. Because wat they choose to do don't make them or thr families any less than u... jus cause u see a lot of blacks trust me we are educated in North Hills....An may be more financially stable than u!!! So that comment was wrong. An like I said I know both boys personally an its sad. Stop judging. Thanks..

MP3

12:04 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Kate the great!!! We were born and raised in north hills. So that mean up root ur fam back to philly hunny!!!! So maybe I should say u have a Hud home in our neighborhood.. ?? I would be passing judgement right?? Praying for u.

faith

1:38 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

He has done a crime... Why would he go FREE??? And to the ignorance that is placed for the world to see... STOP already I understand your standing up for your friend but you need to realize there was other ways around that issue. Bullying & killing someone is wrong. If he didn't have a gun he was obviously there for a fight... a ton of cars didn't pull up for someone to get shot! They came for a fight that obviously turned sour. Now, respect the family and stop making ignorant comments and keep them to yourselves. Its hurtful to see "us" as blk ppl continue to say stupid things after something so tragic! We need to come together to find a solution, not bring more drama to the situation.

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Mulla be boi Dulla

10:02 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

UHHH, stupid he came with 4 dudes threading him

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Kelsea

11:18 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

that still doesnt mean u shoot some one.. grown men should not play these games.. its time to be mature like seriously..

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RIP BEN

11:22 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@ faith i agree with you 100 %...
@Mulla be boi Dulla were you there when he supposely came with 4 dudes?f you were then why didn't yall just handle it without a gun? A stupid decision was made when dula started firing that gun taking bens life!!!!

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Silhoette

11:26 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Make no mistake, I'm no advocate of taking someones life, however at that place and time, there was alot of chaos and emotion. BOTH men threatened each other. BOTH men agreed that they intended on hurting the other. In this case, Dula almost lost his life a few years ago which is why he carried a gun in the first place. If you were ever put into a situation where you could possibly get hurt you would want to protect yourself. Ben should have never lost his life that night. And he wouldn't have if he didn't go looking for a fight. Dula wouldn't be in jail right now if stayed home and kept his mouth shut. And half the ppl on here with all that "RAH RAH" are the same types of people that egged Ben on to go approach Dula. Ya'll just love ya'll drama and still you continue with your rumors and hateful comments. The same ppl no doubt that watched the FB arguments and watch the whole story unfold. SMH Which one of you stopped Ben from going down to Dula's house??? NONE OF YOU! SO blame yourselves as much as you blame everybody else. We all could have tried to stop this but I guess lives aren't important until they're lost.

brick city

2:14 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@lover5
his ppls already erased da posts of his fb page already...dey knew wut dey was doin...

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RIP BEN

11:33 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@brick city i believe dulla earased his fb page after what happened too? he knew what he was doing.. but little do you know anything you post on the internet is forever on the internet it never deletes.

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practicewhatupreach

2:13 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Ben had a choice too...not to come to come dwn NHills w/the BS to sumbdy house thinking they not going to react! In a sense Ben got what he deserved! He came looking for trouble playing tough tony and he got got! Stay strong Dula!

Justin delos

4:37 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@lovebenrip. Dula is 140lbs soakin wet, why would it take a car load of dudes to see him?

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practicewhatupreach

2:17 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Okkkk! They came w/that Rah Rah bullshit and he got got! so that's what u get whn u play into this gansta BS! If Ben wanted to fight he would hv come alone to fight! Ben was hyped up by u nut posting this BS and now he gone! Yall egged him on now crying he dead! Yall should hv told him to leave the BS alone! Yall beefed alll week long on FB/text! To the truth will come out....the first 48 ! dnt believe the hype of all this Ben ain't do nothing! Ben & crew had a gun...the gun was found so now what yall gotta say??

Mikes thoughts

5:23 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

I wonder why we as African Americans slaughter each other like we were food for the master's table. Yes I know all races kill but I am black and this hits home. I left the city thinking this kind of violence is city driven but it is not. This is just another fool killing a man by shooting him like a dog. I do not know why and I do not care; if you shoot someone in the back while they run unarmed then you are TRASH. Point blank period you are trash that deserves to be put down like a dog. How many times do we have to read about this non sense? We have to learn to resolve our disputes without shooting up the damn street. North Hills is not that far from me and I am hoping that those living in Abington came to leave this kind of OK corral nonsense behind them. Got a dispute talk it out or call a cop or lave up the gloves got to the YMCA and settle it like men. If you want to chase each other in the street like animals then go back to the dirty big city and shoot and stab one another and join the KKK while you are at it because they love when we kill and act like dogs. When will we learn to live together?

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Love25

8:55 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@mikes thoughts, I wish everyone had the same sense as you.

caramelb8

7:10 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

You all talk a lot for obviously not know the guys. If you all knew the guys then you know that this was drug related. That means that neither one of them are innocent. You all want to at like one guy is so much better. Tell the truth. You all sittin up here lying about how someone is isn't any better that shooting someone. Yea Dre was wrong but before this he was just as good as everyone says Ben was. Everyone around knows what Dre does. If Ben had all that to say knowing what Dre does then that's his fault for getting an any type of altercation with him because you never know what might happen with a dealer. This was all unnecessary. I pray that both families find some peace. Especially the children.

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Mulla be boi Dulla

10:17 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@caramlB do me a favor ...... SHUT UP !!

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Women of Christ

11:24 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

you should get your facts stright before speaking your mind,and i'm no english teacher but please re-read your post before hitting submit!

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RIP BEN

11:41 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@caramelb8 SHUT UP u dont know what ur talking about u look dumb..GOODbye

Mikes thoughts

8:14 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

I am not sure why people are hopping on the comments of others. This comments spot was put here for a reason to speak up and comment on the senseless killing that happened in Abington. I don't claim to know or understand any facts and I am not judging either person. I am going to comment and condemn the actions of the person who shot another person in the back. I judge h to be of low moral fiber and to be a coward of the highest order. There may be good reasons to have to defend yourself and perhaps there may be such a case but from the few facts I gather the police have a MURDERER in custody and not some hero. This is a tragedy and the one who fired the shot caused the tragic events and he should be punished to the full extent of the law. We are not animals and as humans we need to show restraint that is what separates us from the beasts.

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Women of Christ

11:21 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Your not God so who are you to judge anyone?

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Mikes thoughts

7:31 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@Women of Christ--who are you to judge me? Maybe reading is fundamental. If you actually read my posts I condemn the actions and not the people. I don't know what kind of person he was this KILLER but I feel fine judging the actions of someone who shoots an unarmed person in the back. The same way I judge Mr. Zimmerman for shootin a young man and killing him. If murderers do not want to be judged then they should refrain from being murderers. The victim could have been less than stellar as well which is irrelevant and immaterial. When you raise a gun against an unarmed fleeing person you lose the right to any moral high ground. I also feel it highly judgemental of you to judge my opinions, the last time I checked this was American and Abington Patch has solicited this article for comments, so I will comment; judge; speculate;orate all I like. As I am sure you will. I hope that answers your question.

Keith

8:19 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Wow. Stay out of my neighborhood. At least until you learn to read and write.

Mikes thoughts

8:32 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

See personal attacks that's how it all starts. Can't we all just voice our opinions and keep the personal attacks off site? Damn!

Cory

8:44 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dula is not the only one to be blamed! More people should and will be charged for this whole situation. Keep your head up dula.

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Keith

9:02 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

I agree with Cory. Put them all away!

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Dulas friend

1:04 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Ben didnt come for a fair fight obviously by showin up at dulas house with others, and i hear all the time "you kno what type time we on" nobody fights fair anymore its all about guns anymore its a shame but its the truth. Ben talked a big gun game too! everybody in that car that went to dulas lookin for trouble and found it, they should all have to pay.

Contricia (TRINA)

9:39 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Yes we lost ONE life.. I'm the sister in law to Ben and I don't know the facts but I do know Ben life was taken to soon he has two little girls that will never have there father so lets all pray for them. Theres nothing in the world thats better then a FATHERS love for there lil girls..please all of you stop pointing the finger if any thing ball that hand up and you will see the fingers pointing back at yours selfs what could you have done to stop the drama?? What could you have done so that Dula would not be in jail for shooting Ben in the back ? or What could you have done so Ben would still be here for his family? you all need to grow up and stop blaming ppl all this time and engery that you spend on here talking about this go do something POSITIVE.

Contricia (TRINA)

9:41 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

sorry for the miss spelled word.. ENERGY

Wiseman

10:12 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

I'm hearing nonsense ....I was at the hospital when Ben arrived I seen the body drop as I opened the car door ....no I didn't know this man but I tried to save him with help from a valet Parker's help....DOA WAS THE RESULT!!!! It was a very sad sight to see....Dula my young homie is not a malicious individual at all everyone who knows him knows this ....I Feel sorry for Ben and his family as well as Dula's family this is a tragedy ....Both young adult men are at fault for being ignorant...and whoever HIT LIKE on FACEBOOK or commented on there beef is also at fault and should all be locked up for escalating the situation And YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!!! BOTTOM LINE if you go to someone's home after threatening there family it's RIDE OR DIE and at the end of the day that person will protect his family by any means necessary ...Rip Ben and Dula I hope something good comes out of this situation for you no matter what....Wake up People

Kj

10:16 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Ben wasn't thinking about his children when he got in that car full of ppl ridin to dulas house now was he, dula wasn't thinkin about his child when he pulled the trigger either. Both of these young men weren't thinking and that just goes to show life is taken for granted and life's to short.

B real

10:39 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

An respect is the last thing anyone involed has a clue about... All u deal with disrespect . An you poison the same children your so pretend happy to have

KINGKEYSTONE the1st

11:04 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Both of them was wrong..now both are gone...pray for their families.... N stop playing the blame game.... Half of yall sound stupid with the comments yall left up on here....North Hills is a beautiful place with a lot of good beautiful people,I pray everyone comes back together...both families need to show each other respect n some love...n pull together n this tragic time..pray for the shooter n victim...n ANYBODY who does or sayz other wise..is a straight up NUTT..

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Women of Christ

11:11 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Amen,Kingkeystone the 1st i agree with everything you just said!

Women of Christ

11:07 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

I wish everyone on here grow up! 2 young men lost theirs life over what? All the hateful things that everyone is saying needs to stop! Won't y'all pray for Dula because not near one of y'all know what happened & yes Ben love ones have every right to be upset but like anything else there are 3 sides to a story. NO ONE on this page is God so y'all can't judge Dula & God is a forgiving God! I pray He keeps His loving arm around the Butler & Smith family because this is not a easy time for either family. May Ben soul be with our Lord & may our Lord be with Dula! Don't let satan over power y'all hearts and say cruel things about these young men, instead let this be a wake up call for all ,Be bless.

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Silhoette

11:40 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012

I completely agree! Everybody is playing whisper down the lane and versions of the story are all mixed together. Despite what the story is, the point is to learn from our mistakes. To intervene when our friends may be in trouble. Their children did nothing wrong. All this talk of "ghetto" "vermin" "North Philly". These were two amazing families who were from the burbs. Every race, every county, and every state has their crime. Simple minded people blame the location or origin of the people. But if you God is real, then you know the devil is real. And the devil doesn't just live in NORTH PHILLY! There is a physical battle as well as a spiritual battle. Only prayer can put these families at peace. As long as we carry hatred in our hearts, were no better that the violence we just witnessed.

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Keith

12:04 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

6th Commandment, anyone?

Mikes thoughts

12:33 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

So much anger and haterd in these posts--North Hills may be blazing again by all the nonsense I am reading. Wasn't one life enough?? I say squash all this talk before new feelings and emotions cause yet another senseless act of violence.

Bd

12:39 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

A true friend would tell you right from wrong. Dulas friends are fake for pumping him up and bens family and friends told him not to go. Ben was wrong for going but dula was wrong for waiting for him to run....how u stand for Allah but you a coward and a killer?

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Dulas friend

1:15 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

he wasnt waiting for him to run.

Silhoette

12:40 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@Keith James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." No sin is greater than another. For this reason we all fall short of the glory of God and need to ask for forgiveness for our sins. God judges a man's heart, and any heart filled with hate leaves no room for God. @Mike- agreed!

Dulas friend

1:14 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

i will be praying for a good outcome for Dula, he does deserve to be punished for his actions but thats gods decision. FREE DULA FREE DULA FREE DULA FREE DULA FREE DULA FREE DULA FREE DULA!

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Dot

8:36 am on Friday, July 20, 2012

Yes, it's God's decision in the after life. Now is the time for justice for the murdered man. Free Dula? That's just nuts. We don't want him running around town. What's the matter with you?

N.t.g. B.b.a

1:32 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Rip ben damn homie seem like we was just back the hike ballin now u gone damn dula u was my man too so confused I pray for both families it was other ways to handle this

Dulas friend

1:32 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Facebook needs to be shut down!

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Bob

2:28 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

It's not Facebook's fault that a man was murdered, it's the shooter's fault. How can some of you justify what Mr. Dula did? How can anyone defend Mr. Dula for what he did? Free Dula? The entire community should be outraged over this sensless killing. Nobody should be defending Mr. Dula's actions. I feel sorry my good and decent black neighbors; neighbors that try to do the right thing; try to raise their families; black neighbors that try to be good role modles not only in the black community, but all communities. I feel sorry that you have to live in a community where folks want a murderer free.

David Powell

1:44 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

A number of comments have been deleted for violating Patch's Terms of Use. Please avoid profanity and personal attacks.

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Fa

2:08 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Wiseman well put! Bd being Muslim has nothing 2 do with it. All religions have ppl that respond the way dula did. @ the end of the day we can't get either of them back. I never even knew they had a beef. Young or old we all know right from wrong. Both was my homies & I honestly wish I could have had a chance 2 talk 2 both b4 it escalated. I'm still shocked over what happen. Both ben & dula was good dudes period!!!!

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Silhoette

3:29 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

i think we all have that wish. I'm still shocked as well...

Ajax

2:53 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

This situation is truly heart breaking on every level. I didn't know Ben, but I had Dula as a student a few years back. I remember him as a talented young man with lots of potential. At the end of the day, what is done can't be undone, so how are we going to help the families and the community to forgive and move forward. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Peace isn't the absence of conflict, it's the dedication to resolve conflict in a way that creates (understanding, forgiveness, relationship, restoration etc) and doesn't destroy (violence, revenge, "eye for an eye", etc.).

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North Hill Resident

7:05 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@ajax thanks for taking the time to write what you wrote. I hope that those who read your words will find comfort and the strength to heal and move forward. My thoughts and prayers are with both families.

D brookins

6:19 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dula keep your head up I love you and I loved ben too.its very sad what happend.its a result of post traumatic slave syndrome, the white man wants brothers killing brothers.dula didnt want to look like a punk,he had a wonderful heart and was a promising rapper and ben put him in this situation for no reasoon.ben died but dulas the victim.we gona try for self defense boo

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Bob

6:46 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

What a load of b.s.D brookins, a lot of white men died in order to free black slaves.. The white man doesn't want brothers killing brothers...that's a lie peddled by racists like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and all the other race hustlers that make a living playing the opus race card. Place the blame where it belongs, on the man that murdered an unarmed man that was running away from him.

Women of Christ

6:22 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

@ Ajax...thank you for saying that & I pray everyone on here will take the time to read some of the postive comments & let's start healing as one.

T

6:38 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Ben knew what he was getting himself into when him and three cars full of people went lookin for trouble, the dirty truth will come out in the end! Free dula

stopthemaddness

6:46 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Pray for them.... if you all need a church home to do so then there is plenty of room at Antioch Baptist church of North Hills... feel free to come and get the word... it might help all your negativity!

stopthemaddness

7:06 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

To Betty, Nell, Shannon, David, aunt Joyce and anyone else i might of missed keep your head up and just pray.... To Ben and all of little bens family my condolences are offered may you all overcome your loss and may you mend your broken hearts with the all the good times youve had with ben and his kids. Keep your head up and may god bless you! Forever in your hearts Ben will be missed!

D brookins

7:35 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

U must be white bob.u dnt knw sht or any of the story, youd protect ur family n do the same

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stopthemaddness

8:00 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

does it really matter what color anyone is... the point is..... Ben is deceased and there is 2 families effected by the situation.... no one really knows what happened except for the ones who were there and unfortunately one has passed on and cant tell his side of the story so stop trying to sugar coat everything like you all know what happened.

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Bob

7:28 am on Friday, July 20, 2012

What I know is that a coward chased down an unarmed man and shot him in the back and killed him.

K. Emmanuel Magruder

7:37 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

SMH!!! The comments on here are so outraging...Ben was literally the first friend I ever made as a child. I am gonna really miss him because he was a good man yeah he made mistakes but surely didnt deserve to die so early...I dont know Dula but I dont hate him by any means he is a child of God reguardless and The God i serve forgives, yeah we have to pay for all of our sins but God is the only Judge....As for all the so called friends of both of these children of God...dont you understand with all this hate, judgment, pride, arogance, ignorance, and foolishness, your allowing satan to overtake you. come one we need to stop playing and submit ourselves to God and live right and stopping being driven by this evil world....communities come together for foolishnes but we need to come together for peace and happiness as well.....My prayers stretch out through the airways, across the net, and around the world...God please shower us with your presence, we need you to intervene because only you can Heal this world...You are The Most High and I give you complete authority to come into the earth kingdom and send all evil back to its place and replace it with Your Kingdom...I decree and declare peace, joy, power, and strength to all who are heavily burdened by this nonsense...Place all your burdens on the altar and begin to pray....God will heal all your burdens and replace it with peace and Love......Ben and Andre I love you both with the Love of Christ.....

D brookins

7:37 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

To stop the madnesd.my boyfriend is dulas cousin....i hope we r not talkn bout the same guy.rip ben he was mad friendly they both jyst got caught in todays society of violence and drugs

K. Emmanuel Magruder

7:38 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Ben I will never forget the friend you were to me, Your girls will carry on your legacy because they have greats mothers and a great support system in there families...They will never forget you just like none of us will your footprint is forever imprinted in the hearts of many many people.....Crestmont loves you dearly my friend.....

stopthemaddness

8:18 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

To the people of the patch this article is getting out of hand with all these comments it might be best for both families if it was removed from the site.

MottoLove1990

1:33 am on Friday, July 20, 2012

I hope I ain't related to either one of them since my mothers family is from North Hills cause this is jus a senseless murder that shouldn't have happened and both parties are wrong in this situation and it shouldn't have happened at all

MekaPrayingForBothParties

5:46 am on Friday, July 20, 2012

PLEASE SIR DELETE ALL OF THIS. WE'VE HAD ENOUGH!

MekaPrayingForBothParties

5:48 am on Friday, July 20, 2012

People lets use our time and energy on something a lil more positive. No one can turn back the hands of time, I understand your venting and we all have freedom of speech but come on choose your words wisely what WE don't want or need is more of our youth being killed or sent to jail....Use all this energy you have and go check on one of family members, talk to one of the children we have still walking our streets, encourage one another, better yet stop by ur local church, temple, worship center and say a prayer. WE control what takes place in communities so please stop. PLEASE..

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Mischa Arnosky

9:50 am on Friday, July 20, 2012

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