One arrest in violence-plagued York reveals ghost guns, automatic weapons, armored vests

Katia Parks, York Daily Record
·3 min read
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Last week, nearly 100 bullets were sprayed in the middle of the day in the 300 block of West Philadelphia Street, killing 27-year-old Shaheim Carr of York.

Four days later, police arrested Jaquez Brown and charged him in that homicide, which was the 14th killing in the city this year.

Brown is one of four men involved in the shooting.

When they arrested the 26-year-old at a home in the 600 block of Wheatfield Street they found an arsenal that represents what this violence-plagued city is up against: Six firearms, including two ghost guns, custom-made without serial numbers; several high-capacity magazines; a safe containing more than $100,000 in cash; and two bulletproof vests.

Police said their investigation also revealed an operation to transform semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic weapons.

York City Detective Andy Baez, left, describes the cache of weapons, some untraceable, and a safe filled with cash that were found in the home Jaquez Brown, pictured, was living in when he was arrested for York's latest homicide.
York City Detective Andy Baez, left, describes the cache of weapons, some untraceable, and a safe filled with cash that were found in the home Jaquez Brown, pictured, was living in when he was arrested for York's latest homicide.

"I've seen some horrific cases," said longtime department veteran Detective Andy Baez, "but this case shows what the community is dealing with currently."

Baez said this is probably the worst case the department has seen.

At the age of 15, Brown had shot and killed Anthony “Tony” Wasilewski, a 19-year-old from Kingston, Pennsylvania. He was convicted and sentenced to 50 years to life in prison. But Brown won an appeal and in February was found not guilty at a second trial.

Background:He was charged with murder at 15. Not guilty at 2nd trial, Jaquez Brown tries to start anew.

On Tuesday, city officials gathered in front of the police station to address this arrest and the gun violence that afflicts this city. On a table in front of the station was a display of some of the evidence found at the home where Brown was arrested.

"I stand here before a community that is starting to step up and support what it takes to get our families the kind of justice and closure they need," said York City Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow. "Less than a week ago I stood out here tired, frustrated, and disappointed but here we are four days later having someone in handcuffs."

Police said camera footage collected from nearly 30 cameras belonging to residents of the community helped lead to Brown's arrest.

"This level of gun violence demonstrates the increasingly brazen acts being conducted," said York City Police Lt. Daniel Lentz. "This case also highlights the accessibility of the evidence displayed here today."

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In regard to the weapons seized, Mayor Michael Helfrich said, "There are no other purposes for some of these things other than killing other human beings in a violent and rapid way. Your law enforcement agencies are doing their part. All of our partners are working as hard as they can to make York safe. This is one instance where we got what we needed to get this person off the streets. I implore everyone to join the team."

Though an arrest had been made in this case, other families that deserve justice were not forgotten.

York County 2021 homicides:City sees slight increase over last year, rest of county drops

"Anyone that is out there that needs closure for their case, we are willing to do this for you," Baez said.

Police continue to hope that initiatives such as credible messengers, the Group Violence Initiative, and GVI task force will tackle ongoing violence.

A partially assembled 'ghost gun' from the Jaquez Brown weapons cache.
A partially assembled 'ghost gun' from the Jaquez Brown weapons cache.

"This is a culture that we're fighting against," said Muldrow, "And this is what we have to be realistic about it."

Anyone with information about any shootings in York is asked to:

  • Submit a tip through the CRIMEWATCH App or at www.yorkcitypolice.com. Click on submit a tip and fill out the available boxes.

  • Email Detective Baez at abaez@yorkcity.org.

  • Call the York City Police Tip Line at 717-849-2204.

  • Call the York City Police Department at 717-846-1234 or 717-849-2219.

Katia Parks covers public safety issues for the York Daily Record. Please feel free to reach her atKParks@ydr.com. Follow her on Facebook (@Katia Parks), Twitter (@parksphoto), and Instagram (@katia.l.parks).

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Jaquez Brown, suspect in York homicide, was recently freed from prison