Teenager ID’d in fatal Upper Darby shooting

Police have identified the young man who was shot dead on an Upper Darby street Saturday night as Armand Fennell, a 17-year-old Upper Darby High School student who was gunned down after a confrontation at a party.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood verified Fennell’s identity Monday afternoon as the police continue their efforts to figure out who shot him. Chitwood said Monday there was nothing further to report on the investigation, even with potentially 30 witnesses who were at the party on the 500 block of Glendale Road where the shooting occurred who have yet to provide information to authorities.

The shooting occurred at around 10 p.m. Saturday at what was a supposed underage drinking party at a residence on the block. Some kind of argument ensued at the back of the residence when Fennell is reported to have fled down the alley and back up Glendale. Three or four males reportedly were chasing him with someone firing three shots off at the fleeing Fennell, one of them striking him in the back, the bullet tearing his coronary artery.

When police responded to the call they saw Fennell on the sidewalk up the street from the residence where the party was held and tried to resuscitate him with CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

No one from the party would talk to police when they arrived, sparking Chitwood’s ire.

“The tragedy is that the only people who seem to care are the police. The first officers on the scene did everything they could to bring the guy back, but he was dead,” said Chitwood on Sunday. “And to investigate a homicide … at least 30 people were at this party and not one person would come forward or cooperate. It’s a disgrace, it’s their neighborhood.

“These thugs, killers are allowed to take over the neighborhood. Until (witnesses) come forward the neighborhood won’t be safe.”

Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland’s could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon through spokeswoman Emily Harris.

The Upper Darby School District issued a statement on Monday afternoon to address the loss of one of its students.

“The Upper Darby family extends our sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who knew him, during this difficult time. This is a time of grief for the entire Upper Darby School District community,” read the statement.

Counseling services to cope with the loss of Fennell are available to Upper Darby students. Parents are asked to contact their child’s school for more information.