1 Arrested After Sharon Teen's Shooting Death
SHARON (KDKA) – One person has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a local teen over the weekend.
Leangelo Ford, 17, known as 'Leelee' by family, friends, and his basketball teammates, died Sunday after being shot inside a house in the 100-block of Strawbridge Avenue in Sharon.
According to police, as many as 20 people were having a gathering at the time of the shooting.
The Tigers showed up for their regularly scheduled practice just hours later, but the teens were too affected to do anything besides remember the friend they lost.
"A lot of the kids are very, very upset. You know, we just had a big win the other day, we felt like we were turning the corner and the camraderie was very high," coach Jason Rankin said.
At 12:07 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to Sharon Regional Health System for a young man with a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Just eight minutes later, police made their arrest. The suspect was just a couple of miles away from the hospital.
Police arrested Jontae Maurice Barnes, 19, of Sharon, not far from his Liberty Street home. Ford was pronounced dead about two hours later.
Barnes is being charged with one count of criminal homicide.
"I think he had tremendous potential as a basketball player, but even more so I think he was stepping in the right direction as a person, which is what you really want more than anything," Rankin said.
Rankin hopes to somehow honor Ford at Tuesday's game.
Counselors will also be available for students.
"This was a tragedy, but it's also a reminder that life is a gift and that the gifts that you have, you have to cherish, and I'll reiterate that at every turn and use Leelee as an inspiration," Rankin said.
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