Delco DA seeks grand jury inquiry after police gunfire kills girl

“Today, on the one-month anniversary of the tragic shooting in Sharon Hill Borough that took the life of 8-year old Fanta Bility and wounded four others, I met with the Bility family to provide an update on the significant progress my team of prosecutors and detectives has made into the events of that terrible night,” Stollsteimer said in the statement.

“The horrific events of Aug. 27th began when a group of young males engaged in a verbal confrontation that turned into gunfire on the 900 block of Coates Street, one block west of the entrance to the Academy Park High School football stadium,” the DA said. “The confrontation occurred at approximately the same time as spectators were exiting the stadium. Multiple .45-caliber and .9-millimeter shell casings have been recovered from this crime scene. My office’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is conducting an active investigation of this gunfire. CID has identified suspects and persons of interest involved in this confrontation and it is our expectation that further investigation will lead to the arrest of the individuals involved.”

Stollsteimer said that three Sharon Hill police officers were positioned opposite the area used by spectators to exit the stadium. As the gunfire erupted on Coates Street, a car turned onto Coates Street directly in front of the officers. “We have concluded that the gunfire, combined with the movement of the vehicle, precipitated responsive gunfire from the Sharon Hill police officers,” the statement read.

“Our initial ballistics analysis has concluded with near certainty that four of the five gunshot victims, including Fanta Bility, were tragically struck by shots fired by the Sharon Hill police officers. We await final forensic reports.”

Stollsteimer said that his office’s Special Investigations Unit is conducting a review of the officer-involved shooting.

The three officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative duties by the chief of the Sharon Hill Borough Police Department pending an administrative review of the department’s policies and procedures related to police use of deadly force. Sharon Hill Borough has engaged Kelley B. Hodge of Fox, Rothschild LLP to conduct the review.

Stollsteimer has also asked that an investigative grand jury be impaneled. “If the investigative grand jury believes the evidence presented by the prosecution warrants the filing of criminal charges against an individual or individuals, an investigative grand jury presentment will be issued,” he said. “It’s important to note that, under Pennsylvania law, grand jury evidence and testimony is protected by secrecy in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. In this case, the grand jury will hear testimony related to the entire incident that night on Coates Street and will, at the conclusion of its work, issue a comprehensive report as to what happened Aug. 27.”

The district attorney called for patience as the grand jury investigates. “I understand the community’s desire for closure but ask instead for continued patience as we work to provide justice and accountability for all the victims of this tragedy,” Stollsteimer’s statement said.