Lower Merion Township: Arrests In Ardmore Homicide 7.11.21

Press release from the Lower Merion Township:

07/11/2021 7:32 PM

TWO MEN ARRESTED FOR ARDMORE MURDER, ROBBERY;

THIRD MAN ARRESTED ON FIREARMS CHARGES

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (July 11, 2021) — Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Merion Township Police Superintendent Michael J. McGrath announce the arrest of Micah Colbert, 19, of Ardmore, and Elijah Smith, 21, of Philadelphia, on murder, robbery and related charges in the homicide of 19-year-old Layth Evans of Philadelphia, who was shot to death in a vehicle in the Ardmore section of Lower Merion Township on Saturday afternoon, July 10, 2021. A third man, Dorian Harris, 21, of Ardmore, was charged with illegally transferring a firearm.

At approximately 3 p.m. Saturday, Lower Merion Police responded to the area of 122 Ardmore Avenue for a reported unconscious male in a vehicle. Police arrived to find a man, later identified as Evans, seated in the driver’s seat of a Nissan with a gunshot wound to his face. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Narberth Ambulance personnel.

Montgomery County Detectives and Lower Merion Police launched a joint investigation. Detectives processed the crime scene. They recovered $500 cash on the driver’s side floorboard and a spent Hornady 9mm shell casing from the backseat floor of the vehicle. According to eyewitness accounts, video surveillance, text messages and cellphone records, the two defendants arranged a meeting with Evans in order to purchase a “ghost gun” from him. A “ghost gun” is a firearm assembled from parts and is untraceable since it does not have a serial number. The investigation found that Colbert used Harris’ Glock firearm to shoot the victim in the face causing his death.

Further, at approximately 6 p.m. Saturday, Harris walked into the Lower Merion Police Station to report that his Glock 19 semi-automatic weapon had been taken and used by his roommate, Colbert. Harris turned over the weapon in a red backpack to detectives. Video evidence and eyewitness accounts confirm he was not present at the shooting. A ghost gun was also recovered from the shared bedroom of Colbert and Harris, which is believed to have been the victim’s.

An autopsy was performed today on Evans by Dr. Kahlil Wardak of the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. Dr. Wardak determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the face and the manner of death was homicide. A small silver bullet was recovered from the victim’s neck, beneath the jaw.

Colbert and Smith were arrested and charged with First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, Robbery and related charges. Harris was arrested on a charge of Unlawful Transfer of a Firearm. The three defendants are awaiting arraignment by Magisterial District Judge Karen Zucker, who will set bail for Harris. There is no bail available for First-Degree Murder charges so Colbert and Smith will be remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. Preliminary hearings also will be scheduled at the arraignment.

          The case will be prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Thomas W. McGoldrick, Chief of the Trials Division.

                                      Approved for release:

                                      Kevin R. Steele

CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY

This press release was produced by the Lower Merion Township. The views expressed here are the author’s own.