WEST CHESTER, PA — Six men have been sentenced to prison after accidentally shooting one of their friends who was part of a group attempting to assassinate a rival in Chester County, officials said.
Victor Lara-Ortiz, 22, and Zaire Harley, 23, have been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first degree murder.
Markel Jones, 23, Richard Rochester-Cottle, 24, Quadir Lavender, 24, and Gary White, 22, have also received varying sentences of 5 to 20 years for third degree murder, manslaughter, conspiracy, and similar counts.
The victim 20-year-old Dametirus McClain-Jackson of Coatesville, a former football standout at Coatesville Area Senior High.
McClain-Jackson had joined the others in an attempt to kill a man in retaliation for an Instagram post of another shooting involving a rival group.
"Every person who participated in this violent attack bears the responsibility of the death of McClain-Jackson," Chester County district attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said in a statement.
The incident occurred in Aug. 2023.
Police said McClain-Jackson and the six suspects drove around Coatesville in a stolen vehicle searching for their target.
Ultimately, the group arrived in the area of Community Lane, and McClain-Jackson, Rochester-Cottle, White, and Lara-Ortiz exited the vehicle with firearms and approached a property in the 400 block of Community Lane.
The group saw their rivals and began to shoot. White left the scene on foot, while McClain-Jackson, Rochester-Cottle, and Lara-Ortiz returned to the stolen vehicle. During the melee, McClain-Jackson was shot.
McClain-Jackson was a member of the Lycoming College football team and a volunteer at the Coatesville YWCA. He enjoyed going to the beach in Maryland and working out, according to his obituary.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
West Chester Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.