An 18-year-old was found guilty of sparking a shootout that led to the death of an 8-year-old girl who was killed by gunfire from responding police officers during a high school football game in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, back in 2021. NBC10’s Rosemary Connors has reactions from the assistant district attorney and the teen’s godmother.
A teenager was found guilty of sparking a shootout that led to the death of an 8-year-old girl who was killed by gunfire from responding police officers during a high school football game in Delaware County.
A judge found 18-year-old Angelo “AJ” Ford guilty of attempted murder and aggravated assault on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Investigators said Ford was involved in a fight with rival teen gang members outside of a high school football game in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, back on Aug. 27, 2021. During the fight, Ford – who was 15 at the time – pulled out a gun and opened fire.
Sharon Hill police officers then responded to the gunfire, pulled out their own weapons and shot at a moving car that they mistakenly believed was involved in the initial shooting. At least one of those bullets from the officers then struck 8-year-old Fanta Bility who died in her mother’s arms.
The death of Fanta Bility
Get top local stories in Philly delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia's News Headlines newsletter.
While Ford was not charged in Bility’s death, prosecutors determined the girl would still be alive today if not for the teen’s actions. The judge also determined Ford was not justified in the shooting and was not acting in self-defense.
“My reaction is the same as it is anytime a young man is convicted of a violent crime which is this is a sad day,” Delaware County Assistant District Attorney Tanner Rouse said. “It’s a necessary day but it’s a sad day and unfortunately in this instance it’s the culmination of a lot of sad days.”
The three former officers involved in the shooting – Brian Devaney, Devon Smith and Sean Dolan – all pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment as part of a plea deal. In exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter against them. All three of them are serving probation.
"The officers killed the little girl," Kalimah Cunningham, Ford's godmother, told NBC10. "They're all home."
Cunningham said she was "devastated" by Tuesday's verdict.
“When they say the incident happened, he was only 15-years-old," she said. "You’ll destroy a child’s whole life for one mistake? It’s ridiculous. It’s horrible.”
Bility’s family – who reached an $11 million settlement in the girl’s death – was not present for Ford’s conviction.
“I hope very much that Fanta’s family has had closure now,” Rouse said. “That that part of the case for them has been resolved.”
The other suspect in the shooting, 21-year-old Hasein Strand, pleaded guilty in 2022 to aggravated assault and firearms not to be carried without a license.
Ford’s sentencing is scheduled for September of 2024. His public defender told NBC10 they will wait until then to decide whether or not to appeal.
