8-year-old Fanta Bility was shot and killed outside a suburban Philadelphia high school football game in Sharon Hill last month. Now investigators believe “with certainty” Sharon Hill police officers fired the gunshots that killed her.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced earlier this week that an “initial ballistics analysis” found that with “near certainty” the bullets that killed Bility were from police officers on the scene.
During the investigation, Stollsteimer’s Special Investigations Unit conducted a review of the legality of officers discharging their weapons, and all three officers involved were placed on administrative duties.
The fatal shooting of Bility took place after police were responding to gunfire a block away from Academy Park High School after a football game had ended.
Gunshots rang out as people were exiting the high school stadium.
Three officers were near the stadium exit when a car turned down the street in front of them. The officers began firing at the car, killing Bility and wounding three other people.
“We have concluded that the gunfire, combined with the movement of the vehicle, precipitated responsive gunfire from the Sharon Hill police officers,” said District Attorney Stollsteimer.
He also stated that a group of young men got into an argument which turned into shooting right near the stadium.
The family of the slain girl met with Stollsteimer and was said to be satisfied with his actions thus far.
The family’s lawyer, who also represents two others injured in the incident said, “While the Bility family is satisfied with Stollsteimer’s efforts so far, the same could not be said of leadership in Sharon Hill.”
The officers’ names have not been released to the public, but Stollsteimer has petitioned a judge for a grand jury to seek possible criminal charges.
In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquire, Stollsteimer said “A grand jury will hear testimony related to the entire incident that night on Coates Street and will, at the conclusion of its work, issue a comprehensive report as to what happened.”
The Sharon Hill Borough has sought outside counsel to conduct an administrative review of the Sharon Hill Police Department.
Community members led a march earlier this month, calling out the slow wheels of justice in figuring out what happened and which of the three cops on the scene were responsible for killing Bility.
This is 27 year old Antwan Gilmore. He was killed YESTERDAY by DC police. The cop found him asleep in his car, tapped on the window, and immediately fired multiple shots and killed him. pic.twitter.com/cYUgNuR47m
he was only 21 years old, he refused to leave a parking lot and they shot him 24 times. his name was ryan leroux, we need to get him justice. pic.twitter.com/0C63gketSS
Demetrius Stanley was murdered by plain clothes police officers two nights ago. They came in an unmarked van and were stalking the outside of Demetrius’ family home. He went outside to check and they shot him from inside their car. They never ID themselves. #ripmeech#blackpowerpic.twitter.com/qYL1GHNsho
— B.L.A.C.K. Outreach (@blackoutreachsj) June 2, 2021
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7. Ashton Pinke, 27
27-year old Ashton Pinke was shot-and-killed by Mesquite Police Department officers, today. Investigators report he charged with a “knife and a club” following a 911 hang-up call by a screaming woman. Family members question the report. Our full story airs on @FOX4 at 9/10. pic.twitter.com/SD2AAK76p3
At 5 @wsbtv: the family of 35 year old Matthew Williams are demanding that body camera footage of his shooting death be released. Dekalb police shot & killed Williams at his home Monday. They say he lunged at officers with a knife. Family say he was running away from officers pic.twitter.com/Ky4ssoYTFp
JUSTICE FOR MCHALE ROSE! Mchale was killed by 4 officers within hours of the killing of Dreasjon Reed. Because of this, his story has gotten clouded and we need awareness! Mchale was a personal friend of mine and the sweetest boy ever. He & his family deserve justice! pic.twitter.com/SutjQn4fjy
Xzavier Hill’s family deserves justice. Virginia laws do not require the VSP to release footage, nor to wear body cameras. He was 18, and his whole life was ahead of him.
An attorney who has represented the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor says he is now working for the family of Andre’ Hill, the man killed by a Columbus police officer early Tuesday.https://t.co/9yXaqYKHfu
Joshua Feast was fatally shot in the BACK by La Marque PD officer Jose Santos as he was running away, posing no threat. Witnesses report Santos refused to render aid to Joshua after shooting him AND then kicked his body, already debilitated by the bullet. #JusticeForJoshuaFeastpic.twitter.com/zO46PCsGzO
27. Marcellis Stinnette, teen killed by police in Waukegan, Illinois
Source:Twitter
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28. Jonathan Price
The Texas police officer who fatally shot Jonathan Price has been arrested and charged with murder. His bail has been set at 1 million dollars. I’m glad. RIP Jonathan, rest in power. pic.twitter.com/Mw5GMQX0Eb
The killing of Daniel Prude by Rochester police officers is unacceptable, and we need real answers for why this happened and why it took so long to come out.
Trained medical professionals should respond to mental health crises, not armed officers. pic.twitter.com/EPhH9inn1x
This is #DijonKizzee, 29 yrs old and shot and killed by LA Sheriffs after being stopped for a bike violation. Cops handcuffed his lifeless body. While police investigations can drag on for months/years, cops have already claimed he ran away, and dropped clothes and a gun. #BLMpic.twitter.com/pM6mQfWLeQ
in an attempt to disperse crowds, #DavidMcAtee, a louisville bbq chef known for serving cops free meals, was shot and killed by the police last night. he was unarmed. not only were the officers’ bodycams off, but they also left his body on the street for 12 hours. say his name. pic.twitter.com/kqOPku8iuQ
Montgomery County Police Tweet Video Of Cop Shooting Finan H. Berhe In Maryland https://t.co/HzNV24ZpZB
— World Congress 🌎 On Faith & Justice (@JMcCorrySpeaks) May 9, 2020
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39. Sean Reed
Source:Twitter
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40. Steven Demarco Taylor
Source:S. Lee Merritt
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41. Ariane McCree
Source:The Herald/YouTube
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43. Miles Hall
Source:KRON4
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44. Darius Tarver
Source:S. Lee Merritt
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45. William Green
They murdered my cousin. How do you have someone in handcuffs and in a seat belt and shoot them multilpe times.All cops aren’t bad but those were. I will fight with the last breath in me for justice. William Green was a family man, a working man. Funny. Loving. Love and miss you. pic.twitter.com/PhM3a6C7uj
This is a 2019 mugshot of the murder suspect Cobb police shot & killed today. Samuel Mallard, 19, was previously arrested for impersonating officers a half dozen times. In the 2020 case, the GBI says he’s involved in a murder/robbery. CCPD says there are other suspects. @wsbtvhttps://t.co/7EfuVQLmNBpic.twitter.com/ttWg5HjFkj
Former Officer Robert Olsen killed Anthony Hill over four years ago and was finally convicted (not of murder). Will get get the Amber Guyger treatment? #AnthonyHillhttps://t.co/HZVf3tOEOL
Two lawyers representing the estate of 54-year-old Eric Logan, who was shot and killed by a South Bend police officer, have sued that officer, Sgt. Ryan O’Neill and Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
This is Jaquavion Slaton, the 20-year-old who was was shot & killed by Fort Worth Police on Sunday. Community demanding release of body camera video, but FWPD hasn’t said when/if that will happen. #WFAApic.twitter.com/iakQyWrRCl
Patrick Harmon was shot and killed by police in Salt Lake City, Utah. The district attorney says the shooting was “legally justified.” pic.twitter.com/zYBOwlTzRb