Grand jury to probe fatal shooting of 8-year-old

By the Times Staff

MEDIA COURTHOUSE — Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer has requested that an investigative grand jury take up the case of the fatal shooting of 8-year-old Fanta Bility, and wounded four others, after a football game at Academy Park High School on Aug. 27, his office announced yesterday.

It’s the latest step in an investigation that has roiled the Southeast Delco School District and the Sharon Hill community.

Stollsteimer said he met with the BIlity family and shared these updates in the case:

• The events of Aug. 27 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 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. His office’s Criminal Investigation Division 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.

• 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. Investigators have concluded that the gunfire, combined with the movement of the vehicle, precipitated responsive gunfire from the Sharon Hill police officers.

• The D.A.’s 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. Officials await final forensic reports.

• HIs office’s Special Investigations Unit is conducting a review of the legality of the officer’s discharge of weapons. The three officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative duties by the chief of the Sharon Hill Borough Police Department pending the results of this investigation.

• Sharon Hill Borough has engaged Kelley B. Hodge of Fox, Rothschild LLP to conduct an administrative review of the Sharon Hill Police Department policies and procedures related to police use of deadly force.

Of the grand jury, Stollsteimer said: “Under Pennsylvania law, grand juries are panels composed of lay citizens who listen to and consider evidence presented by prosecutors. 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. 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 on Aug. 27. Now that this investigation has moved into the grand jury phase, and in compliance with Pennsylvania law, no further updates will be provided by my office pending the completion of the work of the grand jury, which will by necessity take weeks if not months to complete. I understand the community’s desire for closure but ask instead for continued patience as we work to provide justice and accountability for the all the victims of this tragedy.”