Photo Courtesy of Facebook/ People Magazine
Angelo “AJ” Ford was arrested and charged on multiple accounts, including first-degree murder for the death of eight-year-old Fanta Bility, who was fatally shot by Pennsylvania police on August 27.
According to NewsOne, Ford and another teen, Hasein Strand, exchanged seven shots at each other, wounded one person, and did not cause any fatalities. However, the police responded to the gunfire exchange, fired 21 shots, injured three people, and killed Bility.
A press release sent out by Delaware County District Attorneys Officer obtained by the outlet stated that Strand is also being charged in connection with Bility’s death.
The D.A. stated that a witness “observed AJ on Coates Street just outside the football game as the game ended” and that he “was flashing a firearm that was inside his waistband and he was heard making threats to others on the street.”
The witness added that Ford “began shooting in a westbound direction toward Ridley Avenue” and that “Strand shot back at AJ in the direction of the football field.”
Related Story: Fanta Bility, 8, Likely Killed By Police Gunfire, Investigation Finds
At the time of the gunfire exchange between the boys, Sharon Hill Police Officers were stationed about 140 feet away and were “supervising the exit of spectators from the football field as the game ended.”
After reportedly hearing the shots, they decided to “immediately” fire their own weapons, which caused the killing of Bility and the injury of three others.
“Today is an important step in my office’s continuing effort to seek justice for Fanta,” District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said in a statement.
“Our investigation has determined that, following a verbal altercation at the football game, defendants Ford and Strand exchanged multiple gunshots with each other on the 900 block of Coates Street. This gunfight wounded one person caught in the crossfire and precipitated the responsive discharge of weapons by police officers stationed near the entrance to the football stadium. This responsive gunfire by the officers wounded three bystanders and tragically killed Fanta Bility. Under the laws of this Commonwealth, my office has determined that Ford and Strand should both be held criminally liable for the murder of Fanta Bility, as well as for the wounding of all of the bystanders.”
Stollsteimer then added that the investigation is still ongoing and that the cops aren’t free and clear just yet.
“On November 18, a Grand Jury composed of Delaware County residents will be seated to review the entire case so that it may be determined whether the police officers’ use of deadly force was justified,” he said in his statement.