Coatesville Man Faces Long Sentence For 3rd-Degree Murder In Infant's Death By Shaking

WEST CHESTER, PA — A Chester County judge handed down a long prison sentence to Coatesville man who pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges related to the violent shaking of his infant daughter that killed the baby in 2018.

The violent incident that killed the infant was not the first time the baby was shaken by her father, according to the District Attorney's report on the case.

Zion Shockley, 22, of Coatesville, pled guilty to third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child in the 2018 murder of his five-month-old daughter, according to a report from the Chester County District Attorney's Office. Judge Patrick Carmody this week sentenced him to 31-62 years in prison.

The DA's reports said Shockley was angry over a derogatory comment during a video game, threw the infant in the air and violently shook her.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "The trauma inflicted on this 5-month-old child is unfathomable, especially given it was her father's rage over a video game that caused it. No child should ever have to endure what this baby did. Judge Carmody's sentence, hopefully, brings peace and justice to the mother and family of the victim."

On Feb. 10, 2018, Coatesville City Police responded to a residence on Harmony Street in Coatesville, for the report of a 5-month-old infant in cardiac arrest. The victim was rushed to Brandywine Hospital before being transferred in critical condition to Nemours/AI DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington. The victim was pronounced dead on Feb. 12.

The child's mother told investigators that on Feb. 9, she took the child for a weekend visit with Shockley, the child’s father, who was staying at his grandparents' house. The mother said she video chatted with the defendant later that night and could see the infant resting comfortably, the DA's report said.

Investigators learned that Shockley was playing an online video game on Feb. 10 when another player disparaged his game-playing skills. Angered, Shockley picked up the victim, threw her in the air, and then shook her violently for a minute, according to the report.

Shockley did not seek help when he realized the victim was not breathing. Shockley's father found the non-responsive infant later, the DA's report said.

Investigators discovered a similar incident had happened six weeks before the victim's death. At that time, Shockley became angry after losing a video game and violently shook the victim for five minutes, the report said.

Coatesville City Police and Chesco Detectives handled the investigation. DDA Erin O’Brien was the prosecutor.

Call Childline at 1-800-932-0313 if you suspect a child is being abused. The Chester County District Attorney's Office encourages resistents to learn to recognize, react, report child sexual abuse by taking a free virtual Stewards of Children workshop. Contact County Coordinator Katie Walters at kwalters@chesco.org or 610-344-6115 for more info.

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