Crime
Jamarion Boone wanted for the murder in shooting death of 17-year-old Armoni Cantu near Erie High School
Boone was charged on December 19, but as of now, he remains at large, according to court records.
On December 17, three students at Erie High School were observed standing outside a classroom. According to Erie police, surveillance footage shows one of the students yelling into the classroom while the other two stood alongside him.
Despite staff intervention ordering him to leave, the student continued yelling.
School officials reported that classes at Erie High concluded at 3:40 p.m.
The student who was shouting into the classroom was seen exiting the building at approximately 3:52 p.m. Just three minutes later, a rear passenger in a red Ford Fusion opened fire into a crowd at the intersection of West 31st and Liberty streets, located about five blocks from Erie High, at 3325 Cherry Street.
The gunfire resulted in the tragic death of 17-year-old Armoni Cantu and inflicted a gunshot wound to the face of another 17-year-old male.
A red Chrysler 200 sedan parked near the crowd was also struck by the gunfire, police reported.
Erie police have linked the classroom altercation to the subsequent shooting, a connection reaffirmed with the recent filing of criminal charges.
The student who was seen yelling outside the classroom has been identified as 17-year-old Jamarion J.L. Boone. Investigators allege Boone was in the back seat of the Ford Fusion when the shots were fired.
He has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, and related offenses. Boone was charged on December 19, but as of now, he remains at large, according to court records.
Authorities previously arrested Boone’s two co-defendants on December 18.
Investigators assert that these individuals were present with Boone outside the classroom and inside the Ford Fusion during the shooting. The two defendants have been identified as 18-year-old Martavion C.D. Thompson and 17-year-old Jahmeir O. Bibbs.
Both face charges of first-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, and other related offenses. Thompson is currently held at the Erie County Prison without bail due to the severity of the charges.
Bibbs, also charged as an adult, is being detained at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center in Millcreek Township, also without bail.
According to authorities, Cantu, the homicide victim, sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at Saint Vincent Hospital nearly an hour after the shooting. Erie School District officials confirmed that Cantu was not a student at Erie High, but his school enrollment status remains unclear.
The second victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the face, was transferred from Saint Vincent Hospital to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC for further treatment. Court documents identify him by the initials N.S., and the Erie School District confirmed he is enrolled at Erie High.
Police believe the shooting stemmed from an ongoing conflict between two rival groups within the Erie community. Investigators determined that the earlier classroom dispute involved Boone and an occupant of the Chrysler 200 that was targeted in the shooting. The gunfire that ensued resulted in Cantu’s death as he stood among the crowd.
Further evidence was obtained through an interview with Thompson conducted on December 18. Thompson corroborated the classroom incident and confirmed its direct connection to the shooting later that day. Police utilized surveillance footage and witness statements to track the Ford Fusion and identify the suspects.
During his interview, Thompson disclosed to investigators that he was seated in the front passenger seat of the Fusion while Boone and Bibbs were in the back seat. He stated that the shots were fired from the rear of the vehicle, further implicating his co-defendants in the crime.
The investigation remains ongoing, and law enforcement officials continue to urge anyone with additional information to come forward. The accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
West Manchester Township, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro spoke at UPMC Memorial following a tragic active shooter incident inside the hospital on Saturday morning.
According to officials, the incident began at approximately 10:35 a.m. when a gunman entered UPMC Memorial Hospital and opened fire.
Six individuals sustained gunshot wounds, including three medical staff members and three police officers. Among the victims, West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte was fatally shot at the scene.
The shooter, identified as Diogenes Archangel Ortiz, reportedly entered the hospital armed with a handgun and carrying zip ties.
Authorities stated that Ortiz proceeded directly to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he held several UPMC staff members hostage.
At one point, Ortiz allegedly zip-tied a hospital staff member’s hands together and held them at gunpoint in the hallway.
Responding officers engaged the suspect and fatally shot him during the confrontation.
Governor Shapiro and State Attorney General Dave Sunday emphasized that law enforcement officers acted appropriately, stating there was “no doubt” that the use of deadly force was justified in neutralizing the shooter.
Officials confirmed that the remaining victims are in stable condition. In the wake of this tragedy, West York Borough Police issued a statement on Facebook mourning the loss of Officer Duarte:
“Our West York Borough family is suffering a painful loss today in response to a tragic mutual aid call earlier today in West Manchester Township at UPMC. Our hearts break at the innocent loss of life.”
The department also invited members of the community to pay their respects by laying flowers at 1381 West Poplar Street, West York Borough, Pennsylvania.
Out of respect for the families, no further comments were made by the department.
WellSpan York Hospital received five individuals from the shooting incident at UPMC Memorial.
The hospital issued the following statement:
“Shortly after 11:00 a.m., WellSpan York Hospital clinical teams were notified of an active shooter situation with injuries at a nearby hospital. At approximately 12:00 p.m., the first patient arrived from this incident for treatment at the hospital. Emergency Department teams have evaluated five individuals for treatment and we do not expect to receive any additional patients. Due to HIPAA privacy regulations, we are unable to disclose specific patient details.”
Additionally, UPMC Memorial issued a statement confirming that no patients were harmed and that the hospital is now secure but on divert as law enforcement continues its investigation.
The hospital expressed gratitude for the rapid response of local, state, and federal agencies and advised non-scheduled employees to remain home.
A hotline has been established for concerned family members of patients: 717-849-5338 or 717-849-5334.
Families arriving on-site are directed to the OSS building parking lot across the street from the hospital.
Governor Shapiro addressed the situation via his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating:
“I’ve been briefed on the tragic shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York County and I am on my way to the scene. The hospital is now secure, and members of the @PAStatePolice and @PEMAHQ are on the ground responding alongside our local and federal partners. Follow the direction of local authorities and stay clear of the area. We will share more updates as they become available.”
In a joint statement, State Senator Dawn Keefer and State Representative Seth Grove expressed their condolences and gratitude for emergency responders:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at UPMC this morning. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
We are immensely grateful to our local law enforcement departments, Pennsylvania State Police, UPMC officers, Pennsylvania Game Wardens, York County Sheriffs, EMS, and all other emergency responders for their swift actions in securing the scene, treating the wounded, and ensuring the safety of our community. Their dedication and bravery in moments of crisis are truly commendable.
As we continue to monitor this heartbreaking situation, we join our community in praying for UPMC patients and staff, those who were injured, and the loved ones coping with an unthinkable act. We stand ready to support those impacted in any way we can.”
Additionally, State Representative Carol Hill-Evans shared her thoughts on Facebook:
“I am shocked and saddened at the tragic shooting at UPMC Memorial in York. A hospital is a place of hope and healing, not of fear and terror. Please join me in praying for the family of the heroic police officer who laid down his life to defend his community and thanking the health care professionals and emergency service personnel who put patients and their families first every day.”
Authorities have confirmed that the threat has been neutralized and there is no current danger to the public.
However, law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Residents are advised to avoid the area as police remain on scene conducting their investigation. A news conference is expected to provide further details in the coming days.
This remains a developing story, and more updates will be provided as they become available.