Pottstown man among 3 charged in shooting
NORRISTOWN » Three men, including one from Pottstown, have been charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with an Aug. 8 shooting that left a 26-year-old Philadelphia man hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Jahleel Davis, 18, of Pottstown, and Taron Ebo-Wilson, 20, and Jamal Jones, 19, both of Philadelphia, were taken into custody after fleeing a traffic stop shortly after shots rang out, according to arresting documents.
Officers received a 911 call at 11:07 p.m. to the 700 block of Cherry Street regarding two groups of males causing a disturbance in the street and threat-
ening to fight, according to the criminal complaints.
Upon arrival, a responding officer heard gunshots, which he initially believed to be fireworks in the area of the 800 block of Cherry Street.
Immediately after gunfire erupted, a gray Chevrolet Impala pulled out into the 800 block of Cherry street and began traveling north toward West Elm Street.
Police used a patrol vehicle to block the car’s path and three males jumped out and fled, ignoring officers’ commands to stop.
Police checked the vehicle and recovered a black revolver in the back seat and Glock pistol magazine in the passengers’ side door compartment.
The victim, who had been shot multiple times, was discovered laying on the sidewalk. He was airlifted to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for treatment and remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
Police established a perimeter around the scene and two K-9 units were brought in to track the suspects.
One unit embarked on a track which led to the 800 block of Swede Street, where Ebo-Wilson and Jones were found hiding under a porch, along with .40 caliber Glock handgun, according to the complaints.
An officer searching the back yard of a residence in the 800 block of Cherry Street reportedly found Davis hiding behind an air conditioning unit.
On Aug. 9 a member of the Montgomery County Detective’s Forensic Service Unit processed the crime scene and recovered 21 9 mm, .40 caliber and .45 caliber shell casings from the area. Additional ammunition was found in a rubber glove in the Impala’s glove box.
County detectives also interviewed a witness who reported seeing three or four males wearing hoodies with the hoods pulled up on Cherry Street just prior to the incident. The witness told investigators one of the men said something like, “I am not going far down, I’m trying to shoot from here.”
Authorities attributed the quick apprehension of the suspects to good police work and witness cooperation. Investigators did not reveal a motive for the attack and plan to interview the victim upon his recovery.
In addition to attempted murder, Ebo-Wilson, Jones and Davis also face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and weapons violations.
They were denied bail and were remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility with preliminary hearings scheduled for Aug. 29 before District Judge Greg Scott.