Family of British man shot dead in US calls killer 'scum'

The family of a British national who was shot and killed in Philadelphia after allegedly attempting to defraud an elderly homeowner has publicly condemned the shooter, calling him "scum."

Salis Hanrahan, 21, died on July 8th after being shot in the chest during a dispute at the home of George Barr, 75, a Vietnam veteran and retired firefighter. Police sources indicate the altercation stemmed from a disagreement over the cost of construction work. Hanrahan, who had collapsed on the pavement after leaving Barr's residence, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

According to local reports, Hanrahan and others he was with had attempted to charge $70,000 for exterior repairs on Barr's home. Neighbors reported that the construction crew had been requesting increasing amounts of money daily. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that Hanrahan was an illegal immigrant from the United Kingdom. He had reportedly been denied an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) due to affiliations with a criminal group known as 'The Traveling Conman Fraud Group.'

This alleged scam bears resemblance to the methods of the Traveling Conmen Fraud Group, as detailed in a February case out of Rhode Island. Prosecutors there accused a British man of operating sham construction companies, targeting individuals for unnecessary work and overcharging them. The group reportedly targets elderly individuals, often gaining access through door-to-door solicitations and noting supposed home defects.

Barr has been charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime, and recklessly endangering another person. He is currently in custody awaiting legal representation and has not yet entered a plea. His family has not responded to requests for comment.

In social media posts, Hanrahan's family expressed anger towards Barr. His sister, Lisa-Marie Hanrahan, shared a photo of Barr and wrote, "The scum that took my baby brother lord pls why us." Another relative described Barr as "evil."

Conversely, some individuals have defended Barr. A friend claimed Barr is a "hero from Vietnam War" and a "retired Philadelphia Firefighter." Another acquaintance stated they had known Barr for a long time and found the incident unbelievable, describing him as kind.

Tommy McKiernan, vice president of Philadelphia Firefighters' Union Local 22, described Barr as an "exceptional firefighter" whose actions were "way out of character." McKiernan suggested that potential factors like PTSD from his military service or his firefighting career could have played a role, noting that Barr's wife had passed away in September. He expressed hope that the incident was a case of self-defense, emphasizing Barr's typically calm demeanor.

Records indicate Barr had paid a $5,000 deposit for vinyl siding installation. Reports suggest that tensions escalated when the roof of Barr's property sustained damage, and Hanrahan's group began demanding additional payments. A neighbor recounted that Barr had expressed concerns about the roof damage and was advised by his brother to remove the workers from his property, after which the dispute allegedly occurred.