SHARON HILL, Pa. - An investigative report looking at Sharon Hill Borough's police policies and procedures in the wake of a police shooting that killed 8-year-old Fanta Bility last year was released late Friday, but the report was largely redacted, with any findings and recommendations obscured from public view.The three former officers who fired their weapons in the direction of a crowd leaving a high school football game just outside of Philadelphia, killing Bility and injuring three others, are facing manslaughter and reckless endangerment charges.
The borough council voted to fire the officers and to hire an outside special counsel, promising accountability and transparency.The report was given to the borough council almost a month ago.
The release Friday quickly drew criticism from Bility's family and from groups that demanded police reforms following the shooting."That Sharon Hill Borough officials chose to hide from the public those portions detrimental to itself and the conduct of its officials in the training and supervision of its police department, speaks loudly to Sharon Hill’s knowledge of its own guilt in connection with Fanta’s death," Attorney Bruce L.
Castor Jr. wrote in an emailed statement. "The redactions after having had the report for weeks (or months) is a shameful and outrageous demonstration that Sharon Hill Borough’s officials are not interested in providing the truth to the public as a beginning point to heal the community."Castor, who represents Bility's family, said they plan to take time to study what was released and may respond further next week.