LANCASTER, PA — A Lancaster city teenager has been sentenced to 3 ½ to 7 years in prison after pleading guilty to shooting a 15-year-old in a street argument. The incident occurred on April 26, 2022, in the 400 block of S. Queen Street.
Jeffrey Moreau, now 18, of the 300 block of S. Prince Street, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and related charges on January 31. His sentence was handed down by Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn. Moreau also accepted guilt for receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm by a minor, recklessly endangering another person (two counts), and tampering with evidence.
The Lancaster City Bureau of Police was dispatched to the scene of the shooting at approximately 4:08 p.m. on the day of the incident. They found the victim, a 15-year-old boy, with a single gunshot wound to his buttocks. The boy reported that he was chased by a group of people following an argument, and then shot by someone he didn’t recognize.
Investigators quickly identified the shooter as Jeffrey, using social media accounts to match clothing items worn by the shooter to those belonging to Moreau. Footage from Lancaster Safety Coalition cameras provided further evidence, capturing the victim and his group walking towards Moreau and his companions before quickly retreating. Moreau can be seen in the footage chasing the victim around a corner with a silver handgun.
Moreau fired one shot at the victim’s back while standing in the middle of E. Andrew Street. He briefly stopped chasing the victim, only to resume the pursuit and fire at least one more shot. At the time, there was an unknown pedestrian and numerous vehicles in close proximity.
Moreau was then seen running away from the scene and discarding the gun in a metal grate on the 400 block of E. Strawberry Street. The police later recovered the firearm, which had been reported as stolen.
Additional witnesses confirmed Moreau’s identity, with one stating they believed the defendant fired four shots at the victim. Assistant District Attorney Janie Swinehart prosecuted the case, while Lancaster City Police Detective Jared Snader filed charges.
This case highlights the ongoing struggle with violent crime in Pennsylvania communities, particularly involving young people. It serves as a chilling reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from arguments escalating to violence. This sentence hopefully sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law.
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