Four teens to be charged as adults

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for four juveniles, who have been charged as adults in the December failed robbery and officer-involved shooting Dec. 17 along Wengler Avenue in Sharon.

“Once we were able to develop the evidence, the juvenile petitions were withdrawn, (the suspects) were released from the juvenile facility and arrested as adults,” Mercer County District Attorney Miles K. Karson Jr. said.

Other than that, Karson said he could not comment because there is a continuing investigation.

Devonte Seandale Napier, 16, of 703 French St., Farrell, admitted to holding a gun when a Sharon officer shot at him, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Napier was charged with robbery, attempted aggravated assault, theft, burglary, trespassing and carrying a firearm without a license.

Jejuan James Gamble, 16, of 329 Shenango Blvd., Farrell, was charged with robbery, attempted aggravated assault, theft, burglary, trespassing, and conspiracy to carry a firearm without a license.

Also charged in connection with the incident were Tyrel Dennis Howell, 16, of 326 Shenango Blvd., Farrell; and Davon Joseph McCormick, 17, of 240 Orange Drive, Apartment 2, Hermitage. He is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, trespassing, carrying a firearm without a license, and theft.

The four juveniles were arraigned in District Judge Dennis M. Songer’s court in Sharon and taken to Mercer County Jail after failing to post $100,000 bond.

According to the police report, the four went to a residence along Wengler Avenue about 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17. The resident said he was awakened by a knock on his back door. He reported seeing two suspects trying to enter the sheds behind his house and told police that two other people kicked in the home’s back door.

The resident, who was not seriously injured, barricaded himself inside his bedroom and called police. He said his wallet, which contained about $20, was the only possession stolen.

Just before Sharon officers arrived, the resident said a suspect came to the bedroom. He said he and the suspect pushed the door back and forth, and the victim refused to let the suspect in.

The resident said the suspects then tried to leave through the back door.  

The first responding Sharon officer told state police investigators that he found the suspects behind the house and that one of them pointed a gun in his direction. He said he shot at them and all four ran back inside of the home where they were later arrested. State police said they found a .380 handgun near the back door.

A preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Thursday in Songer’s court.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The headline on this story has been changed to correct an error.