Police: Darby Twp. drug deal ends with 18-year-old shot and 16-year-old in custody

A marijuana deal devolved into mayhem Monday afternoon in a residential neighborhood of Darby Township, police said, leaving an 18-year-old close to death and landing a 16-year-old in custody.

"The neighbors gave us great information," said Darby Township Police Chief Len McDevitt.

Witnesses told police they had seen three young men negotiating over drugs in the Briarcliff section about 3 p.m. A shot was fired, one of the three was struck, and another fled to a home about four blocks away. Neighbors followed him discreetly, McDevitt said, and watched him go into the house.

About 35 patrol cars, including several from nearby departments, responded. About 6:50 p.m., SWAT teams surrounded the house and spoke to the young man's father. The man and his son came out five minutes later.

"It all went off without a hitch," McDevitt said.

Saturday night, police had received reports that in the same vicinity, two young men were seen chasing a third man, who was carrying a gun.

"It looks like that incident might be connected," McDevitt said.

Police found about 30 bags of marijuana at the scene of the shooting.

The injured 18-year-old was taken to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, where he was undergoing a second surgery Monday night. "It's touch and go," McDevitt said.

The third man in the dispute was being interviewed as an eyewitness. No names were released Monday.