Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Bristol Twp. Shootings

File photo. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

A man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and a number of related offenses after a Saturday, March 15, shooting, according to Bristol Township authorities.

Police were initially called to the intersection of Beaver Dam Road and Lakeland Avenue around 10:48 p.m. for reports of gunfire, authorities said.

A witness told officers that shots were fired from a white Toyota sedan, which then traveled onto I-95, police said.

Video footage corroborated the witness’ account, showing an individual leaning out of the rear of the vehicle as it traveled on Beaver Dam Road, police said.

Spent shell casings were discovered in the area.

While officers were on scene investigating the initial shooting, a second volley of gunfire erupted from the vicinity of the “L” building at the Venice Ashby neighborhood, which is located across the street, police said.

Responding officers found more spent cartridge casings and a cracked gray Apple iPhone at that location, according to law enforcement.

During this second incident, a man seated in his vehicle sustained minor injuries when his car was struck by gunfire. A bullet hole was observed on the driver’s side door, police said.

Surveillance footage from township-owned cameras on Marie Lowe Drive showed four individuals running after the initial shooting involving the white Toyota, which appeared to be directed at people in an alleyway. Three of the four individuals were seen brandishing handguns, two of which had visible laser sights. The individuals then crossed back over Beaver Dam Road toward the Venice Ashby neighborhood, police said.

Review of the Venice Ashby property’s surveillance video showed a group of four males, one wearing a bright green “SEX RECORDS” sweatshirt, walking behind the “L” building. Shortly after, approximately six individuals were seen walking down Beaver Dam Road, stopping and looking toward the “L” building before gunfire erupted and the group scattered. Three of the four males from the initial group were then seen running from behind the “L” building toward Colonial Avenue. The individual in the green sweatshirt was seen turning back toward the “L” building, holding an object in a manner consistent with someone holding a handgun, police said.

On April 11, investigators unlocked the gray Apple iPhone found after the second shooting using Cellebrite digital forensics software, police said.

Authorities believe the phone belongs to Shimire Kareem Johns, 19, of Bristol Township, police said.

A search warrant was obtained for the phone and signed off by a judge.

A video found on the phone, which is from the same day as the shooting at around 1:40 p.m., allegedly shows Johns wearing the same green sweatshirt and firing a handgun at a local gun range, police said.

Surveillance footage from earlier in the day also reportedly shows Johns wearing the same clothing and walking in the direction of the gun range.

A group message on the phone allegedly contained a conversation referencing two individuals, identified as “OPPS, which is slang for opposition, police said.

The messages said the group was going to a party on Marie Lowe Drive that night, police said.

One message stated, “MY MAN BD FINGER ITCHIN TO LET THA 300 OFF,” followed by a video allegedly showing Johns tucking an AR-style pistol into his pants and jacket, police said.

Investigators noted that some AR-style pistols can be chambered for .300 blackout ammunition.

Johns has since been arrested in connection with the incidents. Further details on charges were not immediately available. The investigation is ongoing.

Johns was preliminarily arraigned Thursday morning by District Judge Kevin Wagner on charges of attempted murder of the third degree, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a weapon, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. He was remanded to the county jail without bail as a danger to the community.

Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.

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