Arrest Made In Deadly Road Rage Shooting In Chester County
WEST GOSHEN, Pa. (CBS) — At 2 a.m. Sunday 28-year-old Delaware county man, David Desper, turned himself in for Wednesday's deadly road rage shooting in Chester county.
"This is the story of a savage and senseless murder," said Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan.
At a news conference on Sunday, Hogan announced murder charges against Desper.
Desper is accused of fatally shooting 18-year-old Bianca Roberson Wednesday on Route 100 in West Goshen Township after the two were involved in what's been described as a "cat-and-mouse" encounter along the highway.
Hogan said Desper and Roberson were "jockeying for position" as the roadway merged into one lane and Roberson was not letting Desper get by.
"He wasn't happy," the district attorney said. "So he pulled out a gun and shot Bianca in the head, killing her instantly."
Roberson's car veered off the road, struck a tree and was later found in a ditch. Desper sped off.
Authorities used surveillance video to track the red pickup truck and also received numerous tips from the public.
Hogan said the vehicle was found in Glen Mills, and the 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun police believed was used was found in Desper's bedroom.
The district attorney said there was no indication that race was a factor in the murder.
"This appears to be a savage, senseless and brutal act from one human being to another human being," he said.
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Authorities said Desper turned himself in at 2 a.m. Sunday with his attorney. He has been charged with first degree murder, third-degree murder and related offenses. He remained in custody without bail.
Jeffrey Smith is a neighbor of David Desper's. He's shocked, in part, because of Desper's behavior just hour before he turned himself in to police.
"We've seen the truck earlier this week, but didn't put two into together," said Jeffrey Smith, "it's just shocking."
"I'm glad he turned himself in," said Smith.
David Deaper is in jail, being held without bail.
Roberson had just graduated from Bayard Rustin High School in West Chester. She was headed to Jacksonville University in Florida in the fall.
Jacksonville University released a statement Sunday evening following the news of Desper's arrest.
"We are grateful to learn of one small measure of closure with an arrest in the untimely and tragic loss of one of our incoming freshmen, Bianca Nikol Roberson, 18, of West Chester, Pa. The University is working on plans to memorialize Ms. Roberson and should have an updated announcement in the coming week. Our thoughts and prayers remain with her parents, family and friends as they deal with their grief from this terribly sad and senseless tragedy."
While the family of Bianca Roberson was at the news conference on Sunday, they asked for privacy and space, we honored that request.
