Escapee Charged In Fanta Bility Shooting Incident Captured: Reports

SHARON HILL, PA — A teenager accused of being involved in a fight and shooting that eventually led to the death of 8-year-old Fanta Bility is back in custody after escaping about a year ago.

Angelo Ford, 17, of Sharon Hill, was taken into custody Monday by Philadelphia Police, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ford was in a Western Pennsylvania juvenile detention facility when he escaped in late February 2022.

Action News reports Ford could face additional charges related to his escape.

He is currently charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses in connection with the Aug. 27, 2021 shooting outside an Academy Park High School football game.

Ford is accused of shooting Hasein Strand, 18, of Collingdale, 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.

Their shootout is what authorities said led three Sharon Hill Borough Police officers — Brian Devaney, 42, Sean Dolan, 26, and Devon Smith, 35 — to open fire, which led to Fanta's shooting death.

The three officers in November 2022 pleaded guilty to 10 counts each of reckless endangerment in connection with her death.

According to authorities, a witness said they saw Ford on Coates Street just outside the football game as the game ended.

He was seen was flashing a firearm that was inside his waist band, and he was heard making threats to others on the street. That same witness said Ford started firing toward Ridley Avenue.

They also identified a photo of Ford as "AJ" and as the shooter, and said Strand shot back at Ford in the direction of the football field.

The witness also identified a photo of Strand as the person shooting back at Ford and said Strand had a 9 mm handgun.

A second witness told authorities they spoke with Strand after the shooting.

According to the witness, Strand said there had been tension inside the football stadium between Ford and Strand's group of friends.

Strand told the witness that Ford flashed his gun to Strand as they left the stadium.

Strand told the witness he took his brothers to his car and got his gun before walking back to Ford on Coates Street.

Strand told the witness that Ford then shot at Strand who returned fire.

One of the victims told authorities he was standing at the intersection of Coates Street and Kenny Avenue when he saw a large crowd gathering.

The victim said a dark-colored vehicle pulled up to the group near the intersection.

He heard shots being fired as the vehicle was driving towards him and was struck by a shot to the right side of his body.

The victim identified his location at the time he was shot as the sidewalk area on the south side of Coates Street at Kenny Avenue.

Five 45 caliber shell casings were found in front of 909 Coates St. and two 9 mm shell casings were located in front of 919 Coates St.

Both addresses and the recovered casings were located on the south sidewalk of Coates Street between Ridley Avenue and Kenny Avenue. The location of the casings is consistent with the shootout described by the first and second witnesses, with Ford standing near 909 Coates Street with a 45 caliber weapon and Strand standing near 919 Coates Street with a 9 mm weapon. The victim's location and injury are consistent with being struck by bullets fired by Strand toward the football field.