Shooting Incident in Pottstown Leaves Two Injured, While Teenager Thomas James Niarhos Faces Murder Charges for Fatally Shooting Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins in Separate Incident”.
Shooting Incident in Pottstown Leaves Two Injured, While Teenager Thomas James Niarhos Faces Murder Charges for Fatally Shooting Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins in Separate Incident”.
A shooting incident occurred on Thursday evening in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, leaving two individuals injured and hospitalized. The incident took place on the 400 block of Beech Street at approximately 9:15 pm. According to the Montgomery County communications department, the police are investigating the incident, and it is unclear if any arrests have been made.
In a separate incident, a 15-year-old teenager, Thomas James Niarhos of Stowe, has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting and killing 39-year-old Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins in Pottstown. On April 27, officers responded to a call at the Security Plaza on South Hanover Street and found Hawkins with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
According to court documents, the suspect, Niarhos, was apprehended by a witness and taken into custody by police without delay. The firearm recovered from the crime scene belonged to Niarhos’ father. After further investigation, detectives determined that Niarhos and Hawkins had engaged in a physical altercation, which led to the shooting.
Surveillance footage showed Niarhos extending his arm towards Hawkins, who responded by throwing a tire in an attempt to disarm Niarhos. Niarhos then discharged a single round at Hawkins before dropping the weapon and being apprehended. An autopsy report revealed that Hawkins was shot once at close range in the side of the face.
Niarhos has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a juvenile, possession of an instrument of crime, and additional offenses. The incident is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of addressing underlying issues that lead to such incidents.
The Pottstown community is left to grapple with the aftermath of these two incidents, and the families of the victims are in the thoughts and prayers of many. As the investigations continue, it is essential to prioritize support for those affected and work towards creating safer communities for all.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement are committed to seeking justice in these cases and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. The community is urged to come forward with any information that may aid in the investigations and to support the families affected by these tragic incidents.
In the face of such senseless violence, it is crucial to come together as a community and work towards creating a safer, more compassionate society for all.