The “person of interest” in the Halloween evening killing of a 14-year-old boy in Bensalem Township is dead, according to police.
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On Friday morning, investigators said 19-year-old Sean Hughes, of Morrisville, was eyed for the fatal shooting of Pietro “Peter” Romano, a Snyder Middle School student and Bensalem Township resident.
Police determined a gray 2014 Hyundai Elantra that had been reported stolen from Bristol Township fled the scene of the shooting at Route 13 and Woodbine Avenue in Bensalem Township.
Using tips from the public and investigative leads, Hughes was determined to be a person of interest. The car was also listed in a national law enforcement database, police said.
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“On Thursday, November 2, 2023 the Marysville Police Department in Ohio, observed the 2014 Hyundai Elantra and attempted to conduct a traffic stop based on a License Plate Reader hit. The driver failed to stop and the pursuit ensued,” police said in a statement.
Marysville police continued to chase the car, and the driver of the vehicle got out and ran, authorities said.
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Officers caught up to the driver, who was identified as Hughes. He was found to be dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
Fox 28 in Columbus reported a passenger in the car was taken into custody.
“We will continue to pursue all leads in our attempt to identify any other potential suspects engaged in the planning or solicitation of this crime, including occupants of the vehicle used in the murder. We understand that people in our community are affected emotionally by this tragedy, and some to the extent that they may wish to take the law into their own hands. This must not happen. If anyone has a tip, a lead, or information regarding this incident, please report it to the Bensalem Township Police Department. We will continue to investigate this homicide so that we can hold all people responsible for it accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” police said.
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The shooting occurred at 7:35 pm on Halloween when police were called to the scene at Route 13 and Woodbine Avenue after reports of a large group of juveniles fighting.
Officers arrived to find shooting victims, and they were transported to area hospitals.
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The two other victims, ages 17 and 19, were also caught in the gunfire. The 19-year-old male was treated for wounds to his lower extremities and released from the hospital, while the 17-year-old victim needed surgery to both legs, police said.
Bensalem Township police and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office are working the case.
