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Angelo “AJ” Ford, 16, and Hasein Strand, 19, were arguing and exchanged gunfire in the direction of the officers monitoring the crowd.
SUSPECT KILLED IN SHOOTOUT AT SFO AIRPORT TRAIN STATION, DOJ NOW INVESTIGATING
Protesters demonstrate calling for police accountability in the death of 8-year-old Fanta Bility who was shot outside a football game, at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media, Pa., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The officers responded to the gunfire by shooting, hitting a car and several people leaving the event. The women in the car were not the source of the gunfire.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer reported Tuesday that investigators were certain the victims were hit with gunfire from the police.
The two teens, Strand and Ford, had previously been charged in connection with Bility’s death. Those charges are being dropped.
Strand pled guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and aggravated assault for contributing to injuring one child with gunfire. He is expected to serve between 32 and 64 months in prison, according to a spokesperson. Ford is also facing charges for allegedly attempting to kill Strand.
Each officer is being charged with “10 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter,” Fox 29 reported. After their preliminary arraignments, they were released on an unsecured bail of $500,000.
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Protesters demonstrate calling for police accountability in the death of 8-year-old Fanta Bility who was shot outside a football game, at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media, Pa., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Joseph Fitzgerald, president of Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 27, released a statement supporting the officers.
“This is a sad day for our officers, who face criminal charges for trying to do their jobs and keeping the community safe,” Fitzgerald said, according to Fox 29. “The FOP continues to support these fine officers and will provide a vigorous defense against these allegations.”
An outside firm was hired to investigate the police department’s training and policies following the shooting and the audit is ongoing as of Tuesday.
