Accused Philly salon murderer smoked crack during assaults, court documents allege

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The suspect charged with the murder and sex assault of employees at a Philadelphia beauty salon was smoking crack during the crimes, according to newly obtained court documents.

The incidents happened on Nov. 2 at the Abba Blessed Beauty Salon along Stenton Ave. near Washington Lane in the city's East Mount Airy section.

Police say the suspect, Jamal Pistoria, 33, was arrested four days later on Friday, Nov. 6th while on a SEPTA bus in Center City, police said.

Court documents revealed that officers went back and tracked his movements starting one hour before they said he entered the Abba Blessed Beauty Salon.

Pistoria was recorded by 19 cameras at seven intersections either before or after the incident, the documents allege.

Pistoria was first spotted on camera at Haines and Wister streets, about a half mile from the salon.

He walked several blocks and eventually went into the breezeway behind the salon, where police said he remained for a minute and a half.

Investigators said Pistoria then walked around to the front door and entered the salon, forced three female employees into the back room, where he locked them in there with him for 6 minutes.

Police said Pistoria shot Bellaniri Ofelia Hernandez Camilo once in the head, forced one of the women to perform sexual acts on him while pistol-whipping her and a third victim.

We've now learned that during this time, Pistoria lights a crack pipe and begins to smoke it, according to court documents.

Investigators said his gun jammed while trying to shoot the other two and that they fought him back at that moment.

Action News obtained surveillance video of one victim running out, followed by Pistoria who casually walks away.

Police said he stole money from the register and dropped it on the floor before he left.

Court documents stated Pistoria remained in the breezeway behind the salon for seven minutes and left as police arrived. That's where investigators said he left a hooded jacket that they later found.

Shortly after the incident, investigators said Pistoria was seen on video at a nearby store and bought a soda.

His family did not want to speak with Action News about the release of court documents, which revealed they told police he left the house right before the incident and did not return.

Investigators have not said where they believe Pistoria went over the four days after the incident.

Police said a citizen called 911 Fri. Nov. 6 after recognizing him as he got onto a SEPTA bus at around 1 a.m. at Broad and Lehigh Avenue in North Philadelphia.

Officers tracked the bus to Broad and South streets in Center City, where they said they arrested in onboard without incident.

READ MORE | Husband speaks out after wife killed in East Mount Airy salon attack: 'She was everything'

Hernandez Camilo's husband, Frances Acosta Santos, spoke with Action News on Friday about the loss of his wife and the suspect's arrest. A Univision reporter translated his responses into English.

"Right now, I feel relieved because the suspect is arrested," Acosta Santos said. "I will never forget her. She was everything for me and my son."

"I will never forget her and I need justice," Acosta Santos added.

Investigators said the victims did not know Pistoria and that the acts appear to have been random.

Pistoria will remain in prison ahead of his preliminary hearing later this month.