BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A former football player at Moravian College is now charged in a horrific murder case.
Alkiohn Dunkins is charged with homicide, conspiracy, arson, aggravated arson, kidnapping, and possession of instruments of crime in the April 2018 death of 18-year-old Tyrell Michael Holmes outside the Parkhurst Apartments in Bethlehem.
Holmes’ burning body was found in the early morning hours of April 24, 2018, next to a dumpster. Authorities say he had been stabbed, and was still alive when he was set on fire.
“This was a homicide involving torture,” said Terry Houck, Northampton County district attorney, during a news conference Thursday.
Miles Harper and Yzire Jenkins-Rowe have previously been charged with homicide in the killing. They are awaiting trial on those charges.
The three suspects are allegedly part of the Money Rules Everything gang, authorities said.
“The MRE gang, as they’re known, was a group of individuals from the local area that banded together and made the decision to commit criminal acts,” said Bethlehem police Det. Ben Hackett.
Police linked the gang to a shooting at the Lehigh Valley Mall, and the beating and robbery of a man at Bethlehem’s Yosko Park.
“These are not young kids playing games. These are young adult men who have made it their choice to have violence be part of their everyday life,” Hackett said.
Bethlehem police were initially dispatched to the Parkhurst Apartment complex at Nicholas and Barbara streets about 2:45 a.m. the morning Holmes’ body was discovered for a report of a fire near a garbage dumpster.
Initial 911 calls indicated that it appeared a mannequin was on fire. The first officer to arrive put out the fire with an extinguisher. The Northampton County coroner pronounced Holmes dead at the scene and later ruled that he died from smoke inhalation, burns and stab wounds.
One witness said Dunkins was upset over a botched robbery by Holmes that resulted in threats to Dunkins, according to Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck. Other sources told police Holmes botched a robbery and stole from the group, Houck said.
The witness said the group determined to retaliate against Holmes on the night of April 23, 2018 for the alleged offenses, Houck said. The witness said Dunkins decided one of them should douse Holmes in gasoline and set him on fire, after he was stabbed, Houck said.
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty in the case.
Dunkins is already in jail for allegedly robbing of a fellow Moravian College student inside a college dorm at gunpoint.