Three Pennsylvania police officers were indicted in multiple criminal cases for shooting dead an 8-year-old girl and the wounding of three other people outside a high school football game last year.
The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office charged Sharon Hill police officers Devon Smith, 34, Sean Dolan, 25, and Brian Devaney, 41, to a total of 12 counts of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment for the Aug. 27 shooting to death of Fanta Bility, 8.
The prosecutors said the deadly shooting transpired outside Academy Park High School in Sharon Hill as fans were leaving a game against Pennsbury High School.
The local police said Angelo “AJ” Ford, 16, got into an argument with Hasein Strand, 19, that escalated to gunfire about a block away from the stadium.
Sources said the three cops were stationed opposite the stadium’s exit as fans were leaving and a car turned onto a street directly in front of them as bullets rang out.
At that instance, the cops “discharged their service weapons in the direction of the Academy Park football field killing Bility in the process.
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said DA is offering the deepest sympathies to her family and everyone affected by the shooting.
“We have now concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that it was, in fact, shots from the officers that struck and killed Fanta Bility and injured three others,” Stollsteimer said.
“Today’s indictment of our police officers brings us to another solemn moment. Today we must reflect on our safety, and on those who are sworn to protect and serve,” Stollsteimer added.
The DA set the bail of the three accused at $500,000 for each of them, and preliminary court hearings have been set for Jan. 27.
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