Cops Plead Guilty In Shooting That Killed 8-Year-Old Delco Girl

SHARON HILL, PA — The three Sharon Hill Borough Police officers charged with shooting and killing 8-year-old Fanta Bility in 2021 pleaded guilty in court Thursday to crimes related to the shooting.

Brian Devaney, 42, Sean Dolan, 26, and Devon Smith, 35, pleaded guilty to 10 counts each of reckless endangerment Thursday in a Delaware County court, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Updated court records regarding the three officers' charges were not readily available Thursday afternoon.

With the plea agreements, manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter charges filed against the three were dismissed.

The three sought to dismiss the manslaughter charges filed against them, with attorneys saying because the prosecution can't prove which bullet the fatal shot came from, the manslaughter charges should be dismissed.

However, a judge held the charges for all three in September.

All three are free on bail as they await sentencing.

Authorities said the three fired their guns toward Academy Park High School's football field after they heard shots after a game on Aug. 27, 2021, striking and killing Bility, and injuring four others.

Hasein Strand, 19, and Angelo Ford, 16, are accused of being involved in a shootout with each other.

Their shootout is what authorities said led the officers to open fire, which subsequently led to the shooting death of Bility.

Authorities said they have determined that, beyond reasonable doubt, the three officers' gunfire struck and killed Bility and hurt the others.

The charges were recommended by a grand jury, which investigated the use of force by Devaney, Dolan, and Smith in the incident, which began when authorities said two others fired at each other in the area of the school.

Ford is accused of shooting Strand that night. Strand shot back at Ford and later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault for his wounding of a child bystander during the gunfight and illegal possession of a firearm.

Bility's family and supporters with the group U.D.T.J. have rallied for a sharper response from local law enforcement. They claim that a private follow-up investigation has been completed, but that it has not been released to the Bility family or the public.

Meanwhile, they say, Dolan has applied to work at a different Delaware County police department.

"There are growing concerns that the Sharon Hill officers responsible for Fanta’s death will be able to walk," the U.D.T.J. group said in a statement. "Dolan would not have the audacity to submit an application with another police department if he was not confident that he will walk, or that his sentencing will not be as severe."