Alleged shooter in November murder gets court date
Accused of gunning down 41-year-old in Chester
MEDIA COURTHOUSE » A Chester resident accused of gunning down a 41-year-old man in November waived formal arraignment on criminal homicide and related charges Monday.
Demi Denzel McClain, 28, of the 1000 block of Concord Road, is also charged with murder in the first and third degree, attempted murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy and firearms offenses for the Nov. 12 shooting death of Braheem Stansbury on the 200 block of E. 24th St.
Police were called to E. 24th and Madison streets about 11:37 p.m. for a report of shots fired and found Stansbury lying between two vehicles near the curb, according to an affidavit of probable cause written by Chester Detective David DeFrank and county Detective Timothy Deery. Stansbury was already dead when officers arrived, the affidavit says, having suffered numerous gunshots to his abdomen and left arm.
Three witnesses provided statements to detectives, according to the affidavit. One was the apparent target and two positively identified McClain as the shooter.
Witness #1 said Stansbury was helping them jump-start a vehicle when the shooting occurred. During the jump-starting process, a Black man wearing all black and a mask walked around the corner onto 24th St. from Madison Street, the witness said. The witness and victim were about 30 yards east of the corner, according to the affidavit.
Witness #1 allegedly heard the unidentified man say, “What’s up?” to Stansbury, and Stansbury reply in kind. As the witness leaned into the vehicle to turn the ignition, they heard multiple loud gunshots and dove into the vehicle until the shooting stopped, then ran to a nearby apartment building, the affidavit says.
Witness #2 said they were at a residence on the 1300 block of W. 9th St. with a person they knew only as “Damon,” according to the affidavit. The witness identified “Damon” as McClain in a photo array, the affidavit says.
Witness #2 said another person also in that house wanted to go looking for Witness #1, according to the affidavit. The three of them got into Witness #2’s car, with the witness driving, the other person in the front passenger seat and McClain in the back, according to the affidavit. The front seat passenger was carrying an AR-15 style rifle, according to the witness.
After driving around for several hours, Witness #2 told police the front seat passenger and another person phoned Witness #1 requesting drugs and subsequently learned he was on E. 24th St.
Witness #2 said they drove by Witness #1 and Stansbury as they were jump-starting the vehicle and circled the block. The front-seat passenger allegedly said he wanted to shoot Witness #1 from the car, but Witness #2 said he could not.
“F—it. I will do it,” McClain allegedly said, and took the rifle, according to Witness #2. The driver dropped McClain off on Madison near 24th Street and parked about a block away waiting for his return, the affidavit says.
Witness #2 said they heard numerous gunshots, then McClain reentered the vehicle and said, “I think I got him,” according to the affidavit.
The third witness said they saw McClain exit a gold Ford Escape on the 2300 block of Madison Street that night with a rifle in his hands, according to the affidavit. Witness #3 then heard multiple gunshots and saw McClain return to the vehicle with the rifle still in his hands, the affidavit says. Witness #3 then allegedly heard McClain say “he hit him, he done.” The witness also identified McClain from a photo array, according to police.
The affidavit notes that
McClain did not have a valid license to carry a firearm and was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to an active bench warrant on a 2019 case involving simple assault, theft and terroristic threats charges.
McClain is scheduled for hearings on both cases July 12 before Court of Common Pleas Judge Mary Alice Brennan. He is represented by defense attorney James Bonner. Assistant District Attorney Jason Harmon is prosecuting.
Stansbury was described in an obituary as hardworking, a devoted family man and loving father of two who helped out in his community through World Impact Ministries, which he had joined in his youth.