Two young boys have been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a young girl who was tragically shot by police officers.
18-year-old Strand from Collingdale has been charged with five counts of attempted murder, five counts of assault and endangerment, first-degree murder, and weapon charges in connection with the murder of 8-year-old Fanta Bility outside a high school football game.
16-year-old Alfredo ‘AJ’ Ford has also been charged with the same counts and was being sought by police.
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Strand and Ford had an argument at the game and “exchanged multiple gunshots with each other” outside the game.
Authorities said that three officers from Sharon Hill were at the opposite side of the exit. As the shooting broke out, a vehicle suddenly turned directly in front of them.
The shooting and the car’s sudden movement ‘precipitated responsive gunfire’ from the cops, who thought the gunfire was coming from the vehicle. Their fire hit four of the 5 victims, including Bility who later died in a hospital.
“Under the laws of this commonwealth, my office has determined that (the defendants) should both be held criminally liable for the murder of Fanta Bility, as well as for the wounding of all of the bystanders,” District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said.
Speaking of Strand and Ford, he said: “they were attempting to kill one another that night, and as a direct result a little girl is dead.”
He also added that an investigative grand jury would ‘review the entire case, so that it may be determined whether the police officers’ use of deadly force was justified.’
The police officers – Devon Smith, John Scanlan, III, and a third officer – were all placed on paid administrative leave after the incident.
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