Teens Charged In Delco High School Football Game Shooting

SHARON HILL, PA — A 16-year-old boy has been hit with numerous charges in connection with the August shooting in Delaware County that left 8-year-old Fanta Bility dead, authorities said Wednesday.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Angelo "AJ" Ford, 16, of Sharon Hill, has been charged with first degree murder, aggravated assault, firearm violations, and related crimes for his role in the death of Fanta at an Academy Park High School football game on Aug. 27.

Additionally, Hasein Strand, 18, of Collingdale, is also charged with the same crimes, and is currently being sought by law enforcement.

The charges against Ford and Strand are based on information determined by detectives and contained in the affidavits of probable cause.

One 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 began shooting westward toward Ridley Avenue. They also identified a photo of Ford as “AJ” and as the shooter and stated that said Strand shot back at AJ in the direction of the football field. The witness also identified a photo of Strand as the individual shooting back at Ford and said Strand had a 9mm Taurus gun.

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 firearm 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 observed 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 9mm 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 9mm weapon. The victim's location and injury are consistent with being struck by bullets fired by Strand toward the
football field.

Sharon Hill Police Officers were about 140 feet from the victim along the south sidewalk of Coates Street and were supervising the exit of spectators from the football field as the game ended. Immediately upon the shots fired by Ford and Strand east and west on Coates Street, officers discharged their weapons. Twenty-one 9mm casings were recovered at their location. Four victims, including Fanta, were standing in the ramp/inside the football field area off Coates Street when they were struck by returning police fire. Fanta, was rushed to Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital by police and was pronounced at 9:25 p.m.

The Delaware County Medical Examiner determined that cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the torso. One other victim suffered a graze wound to the ankle, one suffered a graze wound to the back, and another suffered a gunshot wound to the foot.

Ford is in custody and following his arraignment he will be transferred to the George W. Hill
Correctional Facility where he will be held without bond.