PHILADELPHIA, PA – A Philadelphia man has been convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms for a double homicide that occurred in the city’s Olney section in 2023, the District Attorney’s Office announced.
District Attorney Larry Krasner said 29-year-old Sabir Bunch was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, along with multiple related offenses including illegal firearm possession, possessing instruments of crime, criminal trespass, and criminal mischief. The sentencing, handed down by Judge Roxanne Covington, adds an additional 19.5 to 39 years to Bunch’s prison term.
Prosecutors said the shootings took place on August 3, 2023, when Philadelphia police responded to reports of gunfire at 4th and Champlost Streets. Officers found 33-year-old Joshua Chisholm fatally wounded outside a residence, and later discovered 32-year-old Paris William Gary inside another nearby location on North 3rd Street, both suffering multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators determined that earlier that day, Bunch had been at Albert Einstein Medical Center with Gary before being driven home by Chisholm.
Surveillance footage later showed Bunch exiting Chisholm’s vehicle while attempting to conceal a firearm. Minutes later, gunshots were heard inside the home, after which Chisholm fled and collapsed outside. Video evidence captured Bunch escaping through neighboring yards. Police arrested him later that night after a reported burglary on West Spencer Street, where he was found hiding shirtless behind bushes. Forensic testing revealed gunshot residue on his recovered clothing.
In a statement, Krasner praised the work of Assistant District Attorney Jeff Hojnowski and the Homicide Unit, noting that the conviction reflected the persistence of investigators and victim services advocates. Family members of both victims expressed gratitude for the verdict while urging an end to the city’s continuing epidemic of gun violence.
A Philadelphia man will serve two life sentences plus up to 39 additional years for the 2023 Olney double murder of Joshua Chisholm and Paris Gary.
