PHILADELPHIA — Sergio Hyland, a 43-year-old criminal justice organizer for the Pennsylvania Working Families Party, has been charged with murder in connection to the July 2024 shooting death of 30-year-old Jasimane Ransom in North Philadelphia.
Hyland was arrested on April 17 at his home in East Germantown, following a months-long investigation by homicide detectives. He now faces charges of murder and multiple firearm offenses, including possession of a firearm by a person prohibited due to prior felony convictions.
Police say Ransom was found on July 11, 2024, lying near a curb in North Philadelphia with a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hyland’s arrest has raised significant concern due to his position as a criminal justice reform advocate. In a public statement, the Working Families Party said it was “shocked and troubled” by the arrest, and expressed sympathy for the victim’s family. The organization has not clarified whether Hyland was still officially employed by the party at the time of his arrest or if they were aware of his criminal history.
Hyland previously served over 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in 2004 to the murder of a 15-year-old in Germantown. After his release, he became active in advocacy circles, particularly in prison reform and anti-gun violence efforts. His LinkedIn profile lists him as a Criminal Justice Organizer for the Working Families Party since April 2022.
In public statements and writings, Hyland has identified as a “Hood Abolitionist,” advocating for the removal of the punishment clause from the 13th Amendment. He also frequently discussed his experiences in solitary confinement and his mentorship by former Black Panther Russell Maroon Shoatz, who inspired his activism while incarcerated.
In a tribute post by The Elevation Project, Ransom was remembered as a hardworking mother, artist, and aspiring drone photographer who was deeply committed to her two daughters. “Jasimane Ransom is a 30-year-old murder victim in Philadelphia, but I know her as a mother, a business owner, a daughter, a sister, and a friend,” the nonprofit wrote on Facebook in July.
As of now, the investigation remains ongoing, and Hyland is awaiting trial in Hennepin County Court.
