Man charged in shooting death of Connellsville football player
A former Philadelphia resident has been taken into police custody following the death of a Connellsville Area High School (CAHS) junior.
Police said 20-year-old Hasani Melene Simpkins has been charged with criminal homicide in connection with a shooting Thursday night, when Darrell Ross, 17, of Connellsville, was killed.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Simpkins allegedly shot Ross in the head with a .22-caliber pistol in an upstairs bedroom of a home on Murray Avenue in Uniontown.
Ross, a wide receiver who played football for CAHS, was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., where he later died.
James Laird from the West Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office stated that Ross died of a single gunshot wound to the head, according to the affidavit.
After police responded to the scene, they canvassed the area and located the firearm in an alley adjacent to the residence, at the corner of Briner Street and Darby Alley. Police also located Simpkins hiding between a row of hedges. He was then taken to the city police station for questioning.
Police said during the course of the interrogation, Simpkins admitted to discharging the firearm while it was pointed at Ross, after which he allegedly threw the gun on the floor and fled the residence.
According to police, the firearm came back as being stolen out of the Belle Vernon station of the state police.
Therefore, Simpkins is also being charged with receiving stolen property, police said.
City police Detective Donald Gmitter reported that police are still trying to determine a motive.
Gmitter said Ross was at the home, located at 36 Murray Ave., visiting friends who lived there. Gmitter said Ross played sports with the friends.
A preliminary hearing for Simpkins is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Michael M. Metros.