Boy, 15, charged as adult in shooting death of Pennsylvania homeless man
Barnini Chakraborty
Video Embed
A 15-year-old teenager is facing a charge of first-degree murder this week after Pennsylvania prosecutors charged him as an adult for allegedly seeking out and shooting a homeless man in the face.
The man, Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins, 39, was fatally shot on Wednesday, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
NORTH KOREA SATELLITE LAUNCH PORTENDS NEW ERA OF RUSSIA GIVING TECH TO ROGUE REGIMES
The teenager, Thomas James Niarhos, allegedly confronted Hawkins near Pottstown, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles from Philadelphia, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Pottstown Police Chief Mick Markovich said in a joint news release.
Niarhos is facing charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm by a minor, and possession of a weapon.
Witnesses, as well as surveillance video, saw Niarhos allegedly seeking out Hawkins before the two started arguing. The verbal argument quickly escalated, and Hawkins, 39, swung a tire at Niarhos, who was allegedly holding a gun with his arms extended, according to authorities.
Niarhos shot Hawkins, who collapsed to the ground almost immediately. Niarhos shot him again before dropping the weapon and trying to walk away. He didn’t get very far as bystanders managed to detain him until the police could arrive.
Hawkins was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.
Following his arrest, the authorities found a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson semi-automatic firearm at the scene, which is believed to belong to Niarhos’s father.
The preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 30, 2023, before Magisterial District Judge Scott Palladino.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Niarhos is now being held at the Montgomery County Youth Center.
It is unclear what prompted the shooting.