Four Charged With Murder After Body Found Dead On Chester County Road

Authorities have arrested four people – three 19-year-olds and a 50-year-old – in connection with the shooting death of the teen found dead on the side of a road in East Bradford Thursday night.

All four have been charged with murder robbery.

The deceased, identified as 17-year-old West Chester resident Cristian Santiago, was found dead with a gunshot wound on the 700 block of Hillsdale Road in East Bradford Township at approximately 10:20 p.m. Thursday, after a passing motorist reported they had seen what appeared to be a body lying on the side of the road

Earlier today, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office announced the case was being investigated as a homicide, and hours later released another statement that official charges have been filed.

Gerald Myers, 19, of West Chester; Onray Winfield, 19, of West Chester; Darrell Woodword, 19, of Coatesville; and Byron Stevens, 50, of Coatesville; have been charged with murder, robbery, conspiracy and related officials, according to the DA.

Stolen from the victim in the fatal encounter: $30 and an ounce of marijuana, according to officials.

“This case is a prime example of a brutal and senseless killing,” said Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan in a statement. “The victim is dead, leaving behind a grieving family. The defendants are facing murder charges.

“All over a little marijuana and a few dollars.”

According to the DA, Winfield was a friend of the victim, and knew that he sold marijuana. Winfield allegedly arranged via text and twitter for the victim to sell the drug to Myers, know that Myers planning to rob him instead.

Myers was joined on the job by Woodward and Steven, according to the DA’s report. The trio allegedly arranged to meet the victim at a gas station in West Chester, playing as though they intended to make the purchase.

However, once the victim was in the car with the three of them, they reportedly drove away from the gas station. Santiago was shot in the chest at close range.

The defendants allegedly then dumped Santiago’s body onto the side of Hillsdale Road, fleeing with the cash and the marijuana.

All four are being held without bail in Chester County Prison, according to the DA.

The arrests were made by Chester County Detectives and the West Chester Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866, or the West Chester Police at 610-696-2700.

Photos: (From left to right) Darrell Woodward, Onray Winfield, Byron Stevens and Gerald Myers. Courtesy of the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.