Traveller Conman Hanrahan Killed After Shooting During £52k Scam Attempt

Hundreds of people have gathered to say goodbye to Salis Hanrahan, a twenty-year-old traveller who was shot dead while trying to scam an elderly man out of nearly £52,000 for construction work that never happened. The incident took place on July 8 at the home of retired firefighter George Barr in Philadelphia, where local reports claim Hanrahan collapsed outside after being gunned down by the seventy-five-year-old veteran. Officials say he entered the United States illegally because visa officers flagged him as part of a group the FBI calls 'The Travelling Conman Fraud Group'. These organized crime members are notorious for charging victims huge sums on unfinished building projects. Hanrahan died from his chest wounds in a hospital shortly after the shooting outside Barr's home in the Roxborough area, which was valued at £190,000.

His body has now returned to London, where mourners packed into Hayes today with luxury silver Rolls-Royces and Lamborghinis blocking traffic on the high street. Family members carried his coffin down a residential road while a large silver hearse followed close behind. He appears to have married his wife Roseann just months before this tragedy, leaving behind their one-year-old daughter who will never know him again. The funeral service is scheduled for 12pm at St Mary's Hayes Town with burial following in West Drayton Cemetery at 2pm. Last month, hundreds of people set off red and white flares on a busy road to mark what would have been his twenty-first birthday. Smoke billowed into the sky while crowds parked cars across the street causing gridlock as friends hung tribute photos on the pavement. One photo showed him giving a thumbs up surrounded by golden messages reading 'Happy 21st birthday Salis Hanrahan'. Another number plate displayed the words 'RIP Salis' adorned with pictures of the young traveller. A horse and cart joined the procession where his body was carried through west London streets while dozens of friends watched on from the sidewalks.

Traffic ground to a halt as the procession rolled through the streets. George Barr now faces murder charges, possession of an instrument of crime, and recklessly endangering another person. He has not entered a plea yet and sits in a Pennsylvania prison after being remanded into custody. Mr Hanrahan seems to have married his wife Roseann only months before he died, leaving behind a one-year-old daughter with the couple. Following his death, Roseann shared a heartbreaking message on social media: 'My beautiful husband. I love you so much.'

US police stated that contractors were fitting sliding doors at Barr's home shortly after 2pm on July 8 when gunfire erupted. Philadelphia Police Captain James Kimrey explained the scene: 'They heard arguments or some kind of commotion inside and then they found the boss outside.' Local outlet KYW reported that the victim had been 'asking for more money' every day prior to his death. The Department of Homeland Security claimed Mr Hanrahan was 'an illegal alien from the United Kingdom' who entered without a work permit. A spokesman added: 'He entered the country illegally on an unknown date and location and was denied Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) as he was determined to have affiliation with "The Traveling Conman Fraud Group", a transnational criminal organization.'

Local reports suggest Mr Hanrahan was shot after trying to charge Barr £51,800 for repairs on the £190,000 property. The victim's family launched a fierce attack on his alleged killer in the days following the killing, describing Barr as 'evil' and 'scum'. A relative named Paddy Hanrahan posted a news story about the incident on Facebook, writing: 'Please look at the evil in he's [sic] face. He couldn't even give a reason why he done it. He cold-bloodedly killed him for nothing.' Friend Martina McCarthy responded with similar venom: 'I said the same u can see the evil behind his eyes rip salis [sic].' Another friend, Michelle Bas, wrote simply: 'He needs to rot in jail!!!' Mr Hanrahan's sister Lisa-Marie posted a picture of Barr and wrote: 'The scum that took my baby brother lord pls why us.'

Others, however, were quick to show their support for the 75-year-old. One local woman wrote: 'Free George Barr, NOW! He is a retired Philadelphia Firefighter and a hero from [the] Vietnam War.' Another woman posted: 'I have known George for a very long time. Frankly, I can't believe this. Always been so kind to me and my daughters.