A 15-year-old resident of Pennsylvania is facing adult charges of first-degree murder in connection with the tragic shooting death of a homeless man. Prosecutors revealed that Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins, 39, lost his life in a fatal incident at Security Plaza on South Hanover Street, just one day before Thanksgiving, as announced by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
The minor suspect, whose identity is withheld due to legal considerations, intentionally sought out Hawkins, who was experiencing homelessness. Witnesses and surveillance footage indicate that the two engaged in a dispute, during which the suspect extended his arm towards Hawkins. In an attempt to defend himself, Hawkins reportedly swung a tire at the armed suspect, prompting the latter to fire a single shot directly at Hawkins’ face.
Following the initial shot, Hawkins fell to the ground, and the suspect discharged a second round before dropping the firearm and walking away. Bystanders intervened and detained the suspect until the arrival of Pottstown Police, who were dispatched shortly after noon. Upon reaching the scene, they found Hawkins with a gunshot wound to the head, and he was pronounced dead at Pottstown Hospital.
The firearm used in the incident, a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson semi-automatic, was recovered at the scene and traced back to the suspect’s father. The autopsy confirmed that Hawkins had sustained a close-range gunshot wound to the side of his face, and the cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head, classified as a homicide.
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The 15-year-old suspect is facing a series of charges, including first-degree murder, third-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of an instrument of crime, and carrying a firearm without a license. Following his arraignment on November 22, he was remanded to the Montgomery County Youth Center without the option for bail on the top charge. As of now, it remains unclear whether the suspect has secured legal representation. Online court records indicate that he opted not to request a public defender. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.