Fanta Bility shooting: Judge denies motion to dismiss manslaughter charges against 3 officers
SHARON HILL, Pa. - The three Sharon Hill police officers charged in the shooting death of eight-year-old Fanta Bility must face manslaughter charges, a judge ruled Monday.
Officers Devon Smith, Sean Dolan and Brian Devaney are each charged with 12 criminal counts of manslaughter and reckless endangerment in relation to the August 2021 shooting.
The officers were also fired from the force following the deadly shooting.
Authorities say Bility and her family were leaving a football game at Academy park High School when a shooting between two men erupted in a crowd of people.
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Bullets from the shooting were fired in the direction of the three officers who were monitoring the crowd, according to officials.
The officers returned fire, shooting toward a car they believed was involved in the initial gunfire, fatally striking Bility, authorities say.
Investigators later determined that the bullets fired toward the officers originated from an argument between Angelo" A.J. Ford," 16, and Hasein Strand, 19.
On Monday, Judge Margaret J. Amoroso denied the motion to dismiss the manslaughter charges against the officers.
The shooting death of Bility has gained national attention as members of the Sharon Hill community demanded accountability and transparency.
Fanta Bility shooting: Activists motion for release of redacted report on deadly police shooting
During a Thursday night meeting activists presented borough council members with a letter demanding the release of the hidden information. The borough meeting also included local residents sounding off about how much taxpayer money was paid to a Philadelphia law firm to compile a report that has since gone mostly undisclosed. Residents also strived to know who police were trained before and after the deadly shooting.
One year after the fatal shooting, members of Bility's family gathered for a march to honor the young girl remembered as a "kind," "giving spirit."
Fanta Bility shooting: Mother of child slain by police gunfire shares grief on 1 year anniversary
The mother of 8-year-old Fanta Bility spoke to FOX 29's Jeff Cole on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the deadly police shooting that claimed the life of her daughter. The family was leaving a Delaware County high school football game when a shooting erupted between two men and prompted nearby officers to return fire. Fanta was fatally struck by the officer's stray bullets. The officers have since been fired and charged.