Jahylin Melchur (Image: Philadelphia Police Department)

Philadelphia police are asking for the public’s help to find 21-year-old Jahylin Melchur, who they say is wanted in connection with shooting two gay men dead and leaving a third injured, as prosecutors renew calls to strengthen Pennsylvania’s hate crime law.

Police have issued a public appeal for information while Melchur remains at large. He is suspected in two homicides and a separate shooting, police said.

The two men who were killed were Martin Higgins, 45, and Sharef Holman, 29. Police said Higgins was shot dead on West Hunting Park Avenue on 20 June, and Holman was shot on the same street on 26 June and later died in hospital.

Law-enforcement sources told NBC10 Philadelphia they believe the victims were targeted because they were gay. Authorities also told the station both men were shot in the back.

Police said Higgins was shot at around 10p.m. on 20 June at a baseball field and died at the scene. Holman was discovered not far away at around 11p.m. on 26 June, taken to hospital, and died shortly after at 11:29 p.m.

The suspect is also wanted in connection with the shooting of a 55-year-old man on Lycoming Street on 29 May, police said. Philadelphia deputy police commissioner Frank Vanore said the man survived and was found next to his car with gunshot wounds to his side and elbow.

Police released images they believe show Melchur wearing a red-and-black hoodie, and a grey hoodie under a black jacket. Vanore told 6 Action News authorities believe Melchur was spotted on surveillance footage using SEPTA’s Broad Street Line. “We know this individual seems to be preying on people in that area. So, if someone does ride SEPTA at those times, around 10p.m., they know this individual, know where this individual may live or hang around – we’d like to know,” he said.

Anyone with information has been urged to call the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit at (215) 686-3334. Anonymous tips can be made by calling (215) 686-TIPS (8477).

Philadelphia district attorney Larry Krasner said Pennsylvania’s only hate-crime law, Ethnic Intimidation, has not been updated since 1982. “Pennsylvania does not have an adequate legal framework for prosecuting hate crimes. Pennsylvania’s only hate crime law, Ethnic Intimidation, has not been updated since 1982,” he said. “The statute’s reach stops well short of the problem.”

Krasner’s office has also called for stronger hate-crime protections, saying the current statute doesn’t cover crimes motivated by sexuality or gender identity.