Shooter identified in Aliquippa homicide, police continuing to search for the teen
ALIQUIPPA ― State police are searching for the suspected shooter responsible for the weekend killing of a local teen.
Police have filed criminal homicide charges against 17-year-old Lamar Seymour, of Aliquippa, after community members helped identify him as the alleged shooter involved in the July 8 murder of 15-year-old Dahvea Sparrow. According to Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier, it is believed both teenagers were students of the Aliquippa School District.
"There's been a huge impact on the student body and the community and the families here," Lozier said. "We've been working with the school board to make sure that they have the resources they need to help the students get through this degree and potentially stop the violence."
Investigators said Sparrow was killed Saturday evening after leaving a local house party. The teenager had just returned to the area after spending several weeks in Ohio with family members. Lozier said on Wednesday morning that the trip had helped "get him out of a bad circumstance" in the local area.
"He came back for a community event, I believe there was a high school graduation party that day," Lozier said. "It ended badly."
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Police responded to reports of a shooting around Main and Knoll streets at 11:20 p.m., where they found Sparrow's body in the road. After putting out a reward for more information, Lozier said several witnesses stepped forward with details about the incident and officers were able to link Seymour to the scene of the crime.
In the police report, troopers say that video footage shows a dark colored minivan drive down the roadway and approach Sparrow's vehicle on Knoll Street. At this time, witnesses say that three people exit the minivan, pull Sparrow from the drivers side of the vehicle and begin an altercation with Sparrow on the sidewalk. The driver of the minivan remained in the vehicle at this time and police report that an unidentified passenger was in Sparrow's vehicle during the altercation.
As the altercation continued, the person who exited from the passenger side of the minivan began to physically assault Sparrow before firing a gun twice at the victim. After Sparrow fell to the ground, the passengers from the minivan and the passenger from Sparrow's vehicle fled the scene on foot. As police investigated the shooting, a witness described Seymour as the shooter and their description of events matched video footage obtained from a nearby residence.
"I bleed black and red, I love my city, and honestly I thought my city didn't love me back from what happened," said Nicole Sparrow, Dahvea's mother. "But I'm thankful for everybody, they are keeping me uplifted, just to be able to smile, just be able to get up and be OK."
After gathering this witness account and video, state police pressed charges against Seymour and are continuing to search for the teenager. Police have shared their intent to try Seymour as an adult once he is arrested.
"I believe he's 17 years old and four months," Lozier said. "It is an extremely violent crime. He's going to be charged as an adult and he's going to adult jail."
Sparrow's family also gathered for the announcement on Wednesday morning, sharing their thanks for community members who stepped forward to identify the killer. As police continue to hunt for Seymour, they hope local communities will continue to help bring justice for Sparrow and help their neighbors.
"I'm thankful I'm happy that they know this and my baby's gonna get justice," Nicole Sparrow said. "My heart is broken, and I'm hurt, and I don't know if I'm ever going to be OK, but in this moment right now I'm just thankful for the love and support from everybody. Y'all are keeping me, and with God, I'm able to just keep going and do what I got to do. Thanks, everybody for loving my baby."
Police encourage anyone with information on Seymour's location to immediately notify state police at 724-773-7400 or the Beaver County Crime Solvers at 724-774-2000.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Suspect identified in fatal Aliquippa shooting
