17-year-old wanted in another teen's shooting death in Aliquippa surrenders to authorities
ALIQUIPPA, Pa. (KDKA) -- A 17-year-old wanted on homicide charges after a 15-year-old was shot and killed in Aliquippa has turned himself in, the Beaver County District Attorney announced on Friday.
Lamar Seymour was wanted in the death of 15-year-old Dahvea Sparrow, who was shot and killed after a house party in Aliquippa on Saturday.
District Attorney David Lozier said Seymour surrendered to the county sheriff. In a statement, Lozier said citizens helped law enforcement make the arrest possible.
"Both he and his family were adamant on turning himself in," said Blaine Jones, Seymour's attorney. "He didn't want to be perceived as running. He wants his day in court."
Seymour is charged as an adult. Jones isn't saying much about whether his client, who had no adult criminal background, had any involvement in this case.
"He has a very small juvenile record. That's number one. Number two, these are allegations," Jones said.
Lozier said Sparrow was at what he believes was a graduation party before the shooting. According to court records, video from surveillance cameras and a witness account reveal Seymour and two other passengers stopped on Knoll Street by Main Street in a minivan before Seymour pulled Sparrow out of another vehicle.
Shots were fired, and Sparrow fell onto the sidewalk. The warrant said Seymour was the only person within 5 feet of Sparrow at the time of the shooting.
"The Beaver County DA's office, the government, like in all cases in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, they have the burden of proving number one, that my guy was there, that Lamar was there, number two, that he fired the shot or shots," Jones said.
There seems to be some contention around where Seymour is being housed during this time. During a hearing Friday afternoon, Lozier said it was determined Seymour should be housed in the Beaver County Jail given the violent nature of his charges.
"Beaver County Jail has been inspected and certified by the state and by the federal government to establish we have several of our isolated jail cells which are adequate for juveniles charged with cases like homicide," Lozier said.
According to Lozier, this could change during what are called interest of justice hearings where the court determines the continued need for Seymour to be housed in an adult jail or if Seymour files a motion to possibly have his case moved to juvenile court.
The homicide in Aliquippa was one of two deadly shootings involving teenagers in Beaver County over the past weekend. Nasean Hunt, 18, was charged and arrested in 15-year-old Asaun Moreland's death in Ambridge. Officials said they're still looking for a second shooter in that case.
