3 Officers Charged In Deadly Pennsbury Football Game Shooting

SHARON HILL, PA — Three Sharon Hill Police officers have been charged with manslaughter and reckless endangerment in connection with the August 2021 shooting that killed a young girl and hurt three others.

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said officers Devon Smith, 34, Sean Dolan, 25, and Brian Devaney, 41, are each charged with a total of 12 criminal counts of manslaughter and reckless endangerment for their actions the night of Aug. 27, 2021 outside the Academy Park High School stadium.

The charges come after a grand jury — which was formed to determine if the police officers' use of force was justified — recommended voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless endangerment charges be filed against the officers.

Smith, Dolan, and Devaney are accused of firing their guns toward the football field after hearing gunshots on the 900 block of Coates Street as a football game let out that night.

Authorities said they have determined that, beyond reasonable doubt, the three officers' gunfire struck and killed 8-year-old Fanta Bility and hurt three others.

"From the moment the call came in on August 27th, my team of investigators and prosecutors has worked tirelessly to achieve justice for Fanta and the other victims of that tragic night," Stollsteimer said. "Today's charges are a big step forward in that process."

Smith, Dolan, and Devaney each had bail set at $500,000, unsecured. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Jan. 27.

"The Bility family thanks District Attorney Stollsteimer and his staff of investigators and prosecutors for following the evidence and the law in bringing forth these charges today," said Bruce L. Castor, Jr., Counsel to the Bility family. "The family appreciates that the District Attorney has kept the family informed at every stage of this investigation. From the beginning he assured them that he would seek justice for Fanta, and today's charges indicate that he's done exactly that. They made the right call."

These charges were filed in addition to charges filed against Angelo "AJ" Ford, 16, of Sharon Hill, and Hasein Strand, 18, of Collingdale.

The two are accused of getting into an argument that led to shots being exchanged between the two. Authorities said the gunfight between Ford and Strand is what Smith, Dolan, and Devaney heard and fired back at.

Ford is charged with serious crimes for his attempt to kill defendant Strand, the DA's office said.

Strand pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault for his wounding of a child bystander during the gunfight and illegal possession of a firearm. Strand will serve a term of incarceration of 32 to 64 months at a state correctional institute and will remain under court supervision until 2030 as part of his plea.

Reporting from Patch correspondent Max Bennett.