Mar 23, 2015 3 min read

A Washington man accused of being the gunman in last month’s home invasion at a West Hallam Avenue residence was arrested Friday by Washington police.

Patrick “Raheem” Speer, 43, of 670 Jefferson Ave., was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger on six counts of reckless endangerment and one count each of robbery, burglary, person not to possess a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and conspiracy. Speer was identified as the person who fired a shot inside the home of Dustin Phillips at 69 W. Hallam.

Also accused in the Feb. 25 incident are Nathaniel Johnson, 21, and Sheldon Morris, 19, both of Washington. They face six counts of reckless endangerment and one count each of robbery, burglary and conspiracy. Johnson was arrested March 9 on a weapons charge and will be federally prosecuted, said city police Detective Dan Rush, who filed the charges in the home invasion. Johnson remains in federal custody. Morris is at large.

Police said the three went to Phillips’ home and were let in by one of his children, who knew Johnson and Morris because they had been to the house in the past. The three reportedly went to the second floor, followed by the children. The trio entered Phillips’ bedroom, and Morris shut the door, preventing the children from entering, according to court documents.

Speer allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it Phillips as he sat on a small couch. Police said Johnson wrapped Phillips’ wrists with duct tape. Phillips tried to flee, and that’s when Speer allegedly fired a shot.

Police said the three intruders were looking for money Phillips received in a tax refund. He reportedly offered them a $100 gift card he had received from a tax-preparation company, but the men refused to take it. Police said Morris then loaded Phillips’ Sony Playstation 4, games and controllers into a backpack, and the men then fled from the house, running down a nearby alley.

Phillips did not know the identity of the third man, but Rush said police received an anonymous tip that Speer was the third intruder. Rush included a photo of Speer in an array that he showed Phillips earlier this month, and he said Phillips identified Speer as being the third man in his house.

Speer was placed in Washington County jail on $100,000 bond. He faces a preliminary hearing in Central Court next month.

Rush said anyone with information about Morris’ whereabouts is asked to call 911.