Sharon Hill Shooting: Grand Jury To Probe Incident

SHARON HILL, PA — A grand jury will investigate the shooting outside a Delaware County football game that killed an 8-year-old girl and injured several others after authorities said it's likely that police shot four of the five shooting victims.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said ballistics analysis show with near certainty that four of the five gunshot victims, including 8-year-old Fanta Bility who died, were struck by shots fired by the Sharon Hill police officers on Aug. 27 at Academy Park High School football stadium.

Stollsteimer said a final forensic report is pending.

The DA's office said Stollsteimer petitioned our President Judge to impanel an investigative grand jury. Under Pennsylvania law, grand juries are panels composed of lay citizens who listen to and consider evidence presented by prosecutors. If the investigative grand jury believes the evidence presented by the prosecution warrants the filing of criminal charges against an individual or individuals, an investigative grand jury presentment will be issued.

In this case, the grand jury will hear testimony related to the entire incident that night on Coates Street and will, at the conclusion of its work, issue a comprehensive report as to what happened on August 27.

The DA's Special Investigations Unit is a reviewing of the legality of the officer’s discharge of weapons. The three officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative duties by the Chief of the Sharon Hill Borough Police Department pending the results of this investigation.

Additionally, Sharon Hill Borough has engaged Kelley B. Hodge of Fox, Rothschild LLP to conduct an administrative review of the Sharon Hill Police Department policies and procedures related to police use of deadly force.

According to the DA's office, the events on the evening of Aug. 27 began when a group of young men got into an argument confrontation that turned into gunfire on the 900 block of Coates Street, one block west of the entrance to the Academy Park High School football stadium.

The confrontation occurred at approximately the same time as spectators were exiting the stadium.

Multiple .45 caliber and .9-millimeter shell casings have been recovered from this crime scene. My office’s Criminal Investigation Division is conducting an active investigation of this gunfire.

Detectives have identified suspects and persons of interest involved in this confrontation. Authorities said further investigation will lead to the arrest of the individuals involved.

Three Sharon Hill police officers were on opposite the area used by spectators to exit the stadium.

As the gunfire erupted on Coates Street, a car turned onto Coates Street directly in front of the officers. The DA's office concluded that the gunfire, combined with the movement of the vehicle, precipitated responsive gunfire from the Sharon Hill Police officers.

Stollsteimer said due to the grand jury investigation, no updates on the case will be provided until the grand jury completes its work, which may take months to finish.

"I understand the community’s desire for closure but ask instead for continued patience as we work to provide justice and accountability for the all the victims of this tragedy," he said.