Crime & Safety
Former Delco Teacher Dies After Being Shot In Head: Reports
A longtime Garnet Valley School District teacher died after allegedly being shot in the head by a neighbor over the weekend.
CHESTER HEIGHTS, PA — A former Delaware County school teacher died after being shot in the head over the weekend, according to court records and reports.
John Jeffey Ballas, 49, of Aston, has been charged with criminal homicide, as well as first- and third-degree murder in connection with the May 26 shooting death of 44-year-old Joseph Iavarone, according to the Delaware County Daily Times.
Iavarone, a longtime teacher in the Garnet Valley School District, was shot in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 26 on the 100 block of Bishops Drive in Chester Heights, CBS Philadelphia reports.
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Authorities believe Iavarone and Ballas, who are neighbors, got into an argument that ended with gunfire.
Iavarone died Monday, which led authorities to upgrade charges filed against Ballas, according to Action News.
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The school district said it will be offering counseling to those affected by the shooting.
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