The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

March 19, 2010

UPDATE: Cops fear shootings will lead to more

By Tom Davidson and Joe Pinchot

FARRELL — A 17-year-old Youngstown teen who was charged in a Nov. 21 shooting was shot Thursday afternoon after an argument at 719 Hamilton Avenue, Farrell, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Chief Riley Smoot said.

Thursday’s violence has police concerned about “spillover” incidents, Smoot said. Some of the principals involved in both shootings also were involved in a series of Dec. 28 fights at a Farrell basketball game, and are known as members of two local, rival street gangs, the Chedda Boyz and the Young Gunnaz.

“There will be increased patrols this weekend,” Smoot said.

Jha’lil Harrison, who turns 17 today, of Youngstown, was grazed on his left arm at about 4 p.m. Thursday after an argument between a “large group of youth” south of 719 Hamilton, police said. Another man, Sam Phillips, 21, whose address wasn’t released, was shot in his lower left arm, police said.

Phillips was treated at the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System, while Harrison was not treated, police said.

The shots were fired from just south of the house toward it, police said.

The alleged shooter, Darelle M. Coffey, 19, of 1432 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, was arrested at 11:47 a.m. Friday at 1120 Roemer Blvd., on charges of four counts of aggravated assault and six counts of reckless endangering, police said.

Harrison was arrested on a warrant for aggravated assault, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, carrying a firearm without a license and conspiracy, stemming from a Nov. 21 shooting in the 600 block of Hamilton Avenue.

In that incident, Jaaron “Jake” Hartley, D’Andre Johnson and Terrelle Jackson were in the 1000 block of Sharon-New Castle Road, Farrell, when Harrison stuck his head out of a car and told them, “I got something for you,” then used two expletives in reference to them and drove away, police said.

Jackson drove the trio to Hartley’s home at 624 Hamilton Ave., Farrell, to take Hartley home when Harrison and Terry Dean pulled up, armed with handguns, police said.

Dean punched Jackson and Jackson knocked Dean unconscious, police said.

Harrison pulled out a gun and Hartley, Jackson and Johnson ran, police said. Hartley said he heard shots being fired as they ran.

Later, Hartley, Jackson and Johnson returned to Hartley’s home, which also was occupied by John Hartley and Lynette Hartley, police said.

Hartley looked outside and saw Harrison get out of his car and load a clip into an AK-47-style assault rifle, police said.

Hartley told everyone in the house to get down and eight to 15 shots were fired, some hitting the house, police said.

John Hartley said he was in bed upstairs when a bullet came through a window and hit a closet door, police said.

Harrison got back into the car and left, said police, who found four rifle rounds.

Coffey and Harrison were taken to Mercer County Jail, Harrison $100,000 bond and Coffey on $150,000 bond. They both face preliminary hearings Thursday before District Judge Ronald E. Antos, Farrell.

On Dec. 28, police dealt with a series of arguments and fights that started in the gymnasium and continued in the lobby and outside the school, police said. Hartley, Jackson, Coffey, Dean and Harrison were charged, although Harrison’s charges were dismissed.

Hartley, 20, was charged with aggravated and simple assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing administration of law for punching a policeman who was trying to break up a fight between Jackson and Harrison.

Charges are pending in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.

Jackson, 18, of 1430 Roemer, pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of disorderly conduct, while charges of simple assault and resisting arrest were withdrawn.

Coffey pleaded guilty Jan. 28 to simple assault and disorderly conduct for punching William Phillips and Jha’lil.

Dean, 19, of 209 George St., Farrell, pleaded guilty Feb. 11 to simple assault and disorderly conduct for struggling with police.

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