Montco Teen Stole Father's Gun, Killed Homeless Man: DA

POTTSTOWN, PA — A Montgomery County teenager stole his father's gun and shot and killed a homeless man in broad daylight last week, police said.

Thomas James Niarhos, 15, of Stowe, has been charged with first degree murder.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at the Security Plaza in Pottstown on South Hanover Street.

Niarhos took his father's Smith and Wesson semi-automatic and packed a bag earlier that day, leaving a note that he was running away, according to police.

Niarhos then went looking for Jeremiah Hawkins, a 39-year-old man who Niarhos believed had committed a crime, according to a criminal complaint.

Witness reports indicate Niarhos yelled at Hawkins, who was trying to walk away from him on his bike, before Niarhos took out his gun, the complaint states.

Hawkins swung a bike tire at the gun but Niarhos fired twice, with one of the shots hitting Hawkins in the head and killing him, according to police.

Niarhos then threw the gun into the ground and witnesses detained him until police arrived.

Niarhos was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 22.