(Family Photo) SHARON HILL, Pa. - Authorities in Delaware County have announced criminal charges against three Sharon Hill police officers in connection with the shooting that killed an eight-year-old girl outside of a high school football game last August and injured three others.
Officers Devon Smith, Sean Dolan, and Brian Devaney are each charged with a total of twelve criminal counts of manslaughter and reckless endangerment for their actions that night, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced Tuesday."From the moment the call came in on August 27th, my team of investigators and prosecutors has worked tirelessly to achieve justice for Fanta and the other victims of that tragic night.
Today’s charges are a big step forward in that process," said Stollsteimer in a press release. According to court records all three men had their preliminary arraignments Tuesday morning and each was released on unsecured $500,000 bail.Investigators have determined that the tragic events of Aug.
27, 2021 began when gunshots rang out on the 900 block of Coates Street. Investigators believe at least two shots were fired in the direction of the three officers, who were monitoring the crowd as they exited the Academy Park High School football stadium following the conclusion of that night's game.Authorities say the officers discharged their weapons in the direction of the field.