Early Morning Brawl Results In Arrest Of West Chester Man

WEST CHESTER, PA —A 22-year-old West Chester man was arrested Sunday morning in connection with shooting a man in the stomach during a brawl over a girl and a football game outside the Historic Court House in downtown West Chester.

Vaughn Yanko is in Chester County Prison in lieu of $500,000 after being arraigned before District Judge Mark J. Lieberman on attempted murder and related charges.

Ivon Bennett, a 21-year-old old victim, is in critical condition in Penn Presbyterian Hospital, Philadelphia, according to the Chester County district attorney’s office and West Chester police.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said gun violence must stop.

“This is another senseless and heartbreaking tragedy with a victim in critical condition,” Ryan said. “We all hope and pray for the victim’s recovery, and the next 48 hours are critical for him. We thank the West Chester Borough Police Department for their speedy response and quick apprehension of the defendant.”

According to police:

• At 2:18 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the 50 block of North High Street for the report of shots fired.
• Officers discovered a male victim suffering from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.
• The victim was transported to Chester County Hospital and later flown to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia
• The incident allegedly began after a disagreement between two groups of people over a girl and a football game.
• The groups had been drinking alcohol at different nearby bars before they came into contact with each other in front of the historic courthouse in West Chester.
• After a verbal altercation, a fight broke out, and the defendant was observed shooting the victim.
• A black Ruger handgun was located inside a holster in the defendant’s right front jacket pocket. The defendant was immediately taken into custody.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Chester Police: 610-696- 2700.