14-Year-Old Boy Turns Self In, Charged With First-Degree Murder In Shooting Death Of 79-Year-Old Man
CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) -- A 14-year-old boy wanted for shooting and killing a grandfather in Chester, turned himself into police on Friday. Zhafir Tinsley-Jones has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 79-year-old Robert Womack.
Zhafir walked into the Chester police station with his head covered and family by his side. They also had a chaplain with them.
Zhafir's lawyer told Eyewitness News that his client is a minor and has no comment at this time. Despite being 14 years old, Zhafir is being tried as an adult.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said during a press conference on Friday that Zhafir's defense lawyer had a previous relationship with the suspect's family.
"He was able to talk to the young man into coming into custody today and turning himself in," Stollsteimer said.
Womack was driving with his 18-year-old grandson and another teenager when Zhafir allegedly shot him in the head on Wednesday afternoon in the area of 3rd Street and Highland Avenue. Neither of the teens were injured.
Womack eventually went unconscious a few blocks away and crashed into a number of cars.
It isn't clear what the motive behind this shooting was, but there were a number of shots fired, and at least one car hit by bullets near 3rd Street and Highland Avenue.
Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland said the lives of Zhafir and his family and Womack's family have been changed due to a "single act of violence."
"These senseless acts of violence have to stop, which means we're calling on the community and parents to step up to the plate and to have those hard conversations with young people," Kirkland said.
Zhafir will be arraigned later Friday and then be transported to George Hill Correctional Facility.
A candlelight vigil will be held tonight for Womack at 3rd and Wilcox Streets, beginning at 6 p.m.
CBS3's Alecia Reid contributed to this report.
