Phoenixville Murder Suspect Heads To Trial

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — The man charged in the recent fatal shooting of a 20-year-old in downtown Phoenixville will head to trial.

Keyon La-Shawn Carpenter, 21, of Phoenixville, waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday and is set for a formal arraignment on Nov. 2, according to court documents.

The incident occurred on Sept. 28 in the Children's Plaza at around 9:47 p.m., near the area of Bank and Bridge streets, according to authorities. Police said that the victim was Joshua Mitchell, 20.

Mitchell had got into a verbal argument with Carpenter for unknown reasons. The argument escalated, and Carpenter pulled out a gun and fired a shot at Mitchell and nearby witnesses, police said.

Mitchell turned and fled the scene, but after a short chase Carpenter shot him in the upper body, according to authorities.

Police said that Mitchell was treated by first responders on the scene and rushed to Phoenixville Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Carpenter was identified as the shooter by multiple witnesses at the scene, police said.

He fled the area after the shooting and was captured by police the next day in Philadelphia.

The gun was recovered from the area of the shooting. An investigation determined that it had been stolen and attempts had been made to file off the serial number.

Carpenter remains in Chester County Prison without bail.

Image via Phoenixville Police Department