Two suspects at large in fatal shooting

Tyrell Jacobs and Tim ‘TJ’ Jacobs are considered ‘armed and dangerous’

Two suspects in Tuesday’s fatal shooting at the Star Social Club on Market Street are at large and considered “armed and dangerous,” according to a Thursday afternoon press release issued by the District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney Tom Hogan and Police Chief Scott Bohn announced murder charges against Tyrell Jacobs, last known address of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Tim “T.J.” Jacobs, of Coatesville, for the murder of Eric Brown who was killed by a single gunshot to the chest.

“This senseless murder was captured clearly on surveillance video,” Hogan said. “The defendants, both with guns, assaulted and killed an unarmed victim inside the Star Social Club.

“Both defendants are on the run, with police tracking them down.”

Bohn said the shooting was not a random act.

“The victim was targeted,” Bohn said. “We have quickly identified the participants and I am confident we will be making arrests soon.

“This type of crime has become rare in West Chester, where we pride ourselves on keeping our community safe.

“However, when a violent crime like this occurs, residents can be assured that we have the skill, partners and resources necessary to address them.”

Warrants were issued for both suspects for murder in the first and third degrees, aggravated assault, firearm not to be carried without a license, possession of instruments of crime and reck-

lessly endangering another person.

Tyrell Jacobs is 23 years old and Tim Jacobs is 24. Tyrell Jacobs is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. He is black, with black hair and brown eyes. Timothy Jacobs stands 6 feet one inch tall and is black, with black hair and brown eyes.

Police believe the two men are half-brothers and known to frequent the Coatesville and West Chester areas.

The facts alleged in the criminal complaints are as follows:

On April 19, the victim, Eric Brown, age 26, was playing basketball in West Chester. He then went to the Star Social Club. He was still carrying his basketball when he entered the Star at 9:02 p.m., police say.

Almost immediately, at approximately 9:03 p.m., the co-defendants entered the Star and began to engage with the victim.

Multiple witnesses were inside the Star and the interaction between the co-defendant and the victim was captured on several video surveillance cameras, reads the complaint.

The co-defendants argued with Brown and attempted to draw him into an altercation, police say. Tyrell Jacobs then threw a punch at Brown, who did not respond. Other patrons intervened. The codefendants tried to get the victim to go outside but Brown stayed inside, according to police.

Although the co-defendants continued with a verbal altercation, both within feet of the victim, Brown still refused to leave, according to the criminal complaint.

“After a couple of more minutes of confrontation, Tyrell Jacobs again punched the victim,” reads the complaint. “The victim responded to the punch by coming at Tyrell.

“Then both co-defendants attacked the victim. The victim fled from the co-defendants, looping around the central bar area and pool tables. The defendants chased the victim around the interior of the Star, ultimately catching the victim between them at the back of the Star. The co-defendants both were brandishing firearms.”

The complaint then reads that the victim attempted to escape through a back door, while not realizing that a door leading from another smaller room was locked from outside.

The complaint reads: “Both co-defendants followed the victim towards the small room. Tyrell Jacobs entered the small room where the victim was trapped first. T.J. Jacobs was at the door of the small room with his gun out. Tyrell Jacobs fired shot into the victim’s chest. The victim collapsed.”

Police say T.J. Jacobs immediately fled through the front door and Tyrell Jacobs attempted and failed to leave by the same locked door that Brown had tried to access. Both suspects got into separate vehicles and fled.

Police and medical personnel were called to the scene and the victim was transported to Paoli Hospital where he was declared dead.

Police say that neither suspect possessed a license to carry a firearm.

“The West Chester Police Department and Chester County Detectives did an excellent job investigating this case quickly and thoroughly,” Hogan said. “The defendants should turn themselves in immediately to face these charges.”

Police and the DA urge anyone with information to contact West Chester Detective Bob Kuehn at 610-696-2700 or the Chester County Detective Jim Ciliberto at 610344-6866.

Tyrell Jacobs