Chesco Jury Finds Coatesville Man Guilty Of Attempted Homicide

WEST CHESTER, PA — A Chester County jury has found Patrick “Peanut” Hickson, 25, of Coatesville, guilty of attempted murder, aggravated assault, firearms violations, and related offenses for the 2018 shooting of a 25-year-old victim in the parking lot of the Little Chef restaurant in Coatesville, the Chester County District Attorney's Office reported.

Hickson will be sentenced at a later date.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "The defendant’s brazen and reprehensible behavior by shooting a victim in broad daylight endangered the life of not only the victim but all the other innocent people in the vicinity. Thank you to the jury for carefully evaluating all the evidence and rendering a guilty verdict that brings justice to the victim and the Coatesville community.

On May 11, 2018, Coatesville police were called to the Little Chef restaurant on Strode Avenue in Coatesville after a shooting was reported. Multiple witnesses heard gunshots and saw three males flee the scene, the D.A.'s report said. Witnesses said that one of the males, later identified as Hickson, fired a gun numerous times across the parking lot.

The victim told police that Hickson said that he was going to kill him, according to the D.A.'s report. When Hickson reached for his waistband, the victim punched Hickson and walked away.

Hickson then fired four shots at the victim but did not strike him, according to the report. The defendant and his two companions all fled the scene.

Four shell casings were found in the parking lot where the shooting took place.

City of Coatesville Police conducted the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Kate Lewis and Chief of Staff Andrea Cardamone were the prosecutors.

"We are appreciative of the City of Coatesville Police for all of their work on this case," said Ryan.

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