One Arrest In East Norriton Bowling Alley Murder

By Mary McKenzie, Delaware Valley Journal

February 22, 2021

NORRISTOWN – Montgomery County arrested and arraigned Upper Darby teen Jamel Barnwell, 17 on charges connected to the February 20 murder of Frank Wade, 29, at Norriton’s “Our Town Alley” Bowling Lanes.

Barnwell, who turned himself in to police around 12 a.m. Monday, is facing charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, possessing an instrument of crimes, and related charges. There is no bail available for first-degree murder charges.

“This violent 17-year old is now behind bars,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.

Police would like to speak to two other young men involved in the altercation that led to the fatal shooting of Wade and injuries to four other men, the district attorney’s office said. No charges have been filed against the two other men shown in a surveillance video from the bowling alley, They are not considered suspects.

On Sunday, Montgomery County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy and found Wade died of multiple gunshot wounds. The death was ruled a homicide.

Wade was found inside the bowling alley Saturday night, where police also found four other injured victims: Shamir Jones, 31 received a gunshot wound to the leg and was transported to Paoli Hospital where he underwent surgery; Yahnirr Brooks, 21, was also transported to Paoli Hospital for a gunshot wound to the leg; Ahmir Simmons, 19, suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was transported to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he underwent surgery; and Robert Oliver, 26, suffered a gunshot wound to the back and was transported to Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia.

Detectives from Montgomery County, along with the Forensic Services Unit, found numerous bullet strikes in the ceiling and walls of the bowling alley, along with 14 cartridge casings for a .45 caliber gun and five projectiles. Four projectiles were found in the ceiling tiles and one was located on the floor, near where Wade was wounded.

Detective John Wittenberger interviewed Wade’s widow, Tahida Brooks, who said she and Wade and several family members were wrapping up bowling Saturday night when they heard a commotion at the front of the bowling alley.

Brooks told detectives that her husband and brothers Shamir Jones and Yahnirr Brooks, cousin Robert Oliver, and nephew Amir Simmons, all went to investigate. Then she heard shooting. She said the young man fired his gun until it was empty, at which point he walked out through “ the main doors” of the alley.

There were 50-75 patrons at the bowling alley at this time, including young children.

Brooks said her husband was on the ground, not moving, and that her brothers, cousin, and nephew had all been shot.

One of three cellular phones found at the scene and identified as belonging to the three young males who became involved in a physical altercation at the bowling alley soon after entering it was determined to belong to Barnwell. A still photo from the bowling alley’s surveillance video also shows Barnwell, without his mask pulled up, with his face clearly visible.

Further search of Barnwell’s phone found pictures of a handgun similar to the one used in the shooting.

The Delaware Valley Journal provides unbiased, local reporting for the Philadelphia suburbs of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For more stories from the Delaware Valley Journal, visit DelawareValleyJournal.com