Teen charged in fatal Chester shooting spree

A Delaware County teen has been charged with murder in the shootings at a crowded Chester birthday bash last week that left two dead and eight wounded, the District Attorney announced.

Kanei Daniel Avery, 16, was found holding a gun at the bottom of the steps of the Minaret Temple, at Fourth and Ward Streets, where the shooting occurred. A security officer working at the party knocked Avery off his feet and police recovered the silver Tanfoglio Giuseppe .32 caliber handgun.

He was arrested on assault and firearms charges and held on $2.5 million bail.

Avery is now charged as an adult with two counts of first and third degree murder, aggravated assault, firearms violations, and other related crimes in the deaths of Robel Laboy, 18, and David Johnson, 19.

During an interview with police, Avery allegedly first said he found the gun on the floor, picked it up and ran outside.

He then changed his story, police said, and said the security guard placed the weapon in his hand.

After Avery made the conflicting statements, police said, the teen's mother, who was present, ended the interview.

Police recovered photos of a what appeared to be the pistol from the teen's cell phone, according to court documents.

Bullets recovered by the Medical Examiner from the two victims were linked by ballistic tests to the gun taken from Avery, according to court documents.

Others charged in connection to the incident are Carlisha Johnnerah Coleman, 19; Gregory Lamont Santana, 23; and Derrick G. Hamlin, 18, all of Claymont, Del.

Coleman and Santana allegedly hosted the party, which was to celebrate Coleman's birthday, police said. According to court documents, females were charged $5 and males $10 to attend.