Shooting, Blood Trail, Witnesses Led Police Into Standoff

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A man who barricaded himself in a Coatesville residence with a semi-automatic hand gun is charged with first degree murder after the Aug. 27 incident.

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and Coatesville City Police Department said late Thursday that Stephen Derez Young, of Parkesburg was in custody. Young, 39, is charged with homicide in relation to the death of Warren Curtis, 40.

Police allege Young pulled a semi-automatic handgun at a police officer and barricaded himself inside 729 E. Lincoln Highway, in Coatesville.

Coatesville City police officers had been dispatched to the scene at 12:33 a.m. on Aug. 27 after a reported shooting, according to official reports. Upon arrival, police officers found the victim, Warren Curtis, lying on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds to his upper torso.

Curtis was transported to Brandywine Hospital and pronounced dead at 1:34 a.m., the D.A.'s office said.

According to the District Attorney's allegations in the case, officers located a trail of blood leading from the victim to N. 7th Ave. While searching the area they found several 9 mm shell casings on the front porch of 22 N. 7th Ave., where it was later learned the victim and his girlfriend lived.

Video surveillance camera footage from the area showed a man in white T-shirt running off the porch of 22 N. 7th Ave. at 12:29 a.m., being chased by another man in dark clothing. The man in the white T-shirt matched the description of the clothing the victim was wearing when he was found on the sidewalk, police said.

A witness who lived near 22 N. 7th Ave. told police they were watching TV when heard one gunshot followed by three more gunshots. The witness then went outside and told police they saw a man running east on Diamond Street, being chased by another man, the police report said.

The witness told police that the man who was chasing the first man immediately returned to Diamond Street and N. 7th Avenue and put something into a gold Honda parked on the southwest corner. The witness told police they saw observed that same man playing with an object in his hands, that appeared to be a handgun.

The witness also said the man opened the driver's door of the gold Honda and changed clothing. Later, the witness identified Stephen Young as the shooter, according to reports.

At 11:47 a.m. on Aug. 27, Coatesville City Police Officers were dispatched to 22 N. 7th Ave. because two witnesses reported seeing Stephen Young return to the residence with a gun.
Coatesville City Police Officer J. Davis was the first to arrive at the location, and observed a male on the front porch matching the description provided, the D.A.'s report said.

As Davis got out of his police vehicle, he told the man to come off the porch so they could talk. Police said the man started to back into the residence. As the officer stepped onto the porch, continuing with the verbal commands, the subject said "no" and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the officer’s chest. The police officer took cover to avoid being shot, and the man backed into the residence and shut the door, police reported.

Police said about 30 law enforcement units set up a perimeter around 22 N. 7th Ave. At 12:51 p.m., Young surrendered to police by walking out the front door of the residence. Officers then recovered a black semi-automatic 9 mm handgun from the residence.

After Young was in police custody, Coatesville City Police Chief Jack Laufer thanked Coatesville City Police Officers, Chester County Detectives, and numerous other police officers for their efforts.

"This very dangerous individual, Stephen D. Young, was apprehended quickly without further loss of life. The safety of our community is of utmost importance, and removing criminals with no regard for life is our top priority," Laufer said.

The District Attorney's Office said Young is charged with first-degree murder and related offenses.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan stated, "This murder was a senseless tragedy. We extend our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends. We will do everything we can to secure justice and we thank the dozens of police officers who helped safely and swiftly arrest the defendant in this case. They showed incredible professionalism in the face of danger."

Young was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Hines and remanded to Chester County Prison in lieu of bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14,at 9 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Koon.

Anyone with further information concerning this homicide is asked to call the Coatesville City Police Department at 610-384-2300 or the Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.

The District Attorney's Office always notes that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of the law.