WEST CHESTER, PA — John Russell McNeal II, 35, of Clifton Heights, PA, was convicted by County Court of Common Pleas Judge Alita A. Rovito on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, and related offenses. The verdict, announced on November 27, 2023, pertains to an incident that occurred in January 2022, when McNeal fired multiple rounds into a home, striking two people, including a two-year-old child.
Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan stated, “The defendant almost killed these innocent victims, including a defenseless child, through his recklessness and depravity. He showed no value for human life when he decided to fire his gun into a home filled with people. This abhorrent behavior will never be tolerated, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who perpetrate acts of gun violence to the highest extent of the law.”
The events leading to McNeal’s conviction unfolded on the night of January 2, 2022, around 10:07 p.m., when the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) received reports of a shooting at a residence in Atglen Borough, Chester County. The victim reported being shot in the leg by her ex-boyfriend, McNeal. Multiple law enforcement units, including PSP Troopers from Embreeville and Lancaster Barracks, responded to the scene. However, McNeal had fled before their arrival.
According to the victim’s account, she and McNeal had argued in the parking lot of her residence. Fearing for her safety, she fled with her children to a neighbor’s house. McNeal followed them and fired multiple rounds at her car and then at her while she stood in the doorway. The victim was treated for a gunshot wound to her left upper thigh and released from Paoli Hospital the following morning. Her two-year-old child, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, was treated at Nemours Children’s Hospital and released a few hours later.
Investigators found eight bullet casings and four spent rounds near the residence. Following his conviction, McNeal’s bail was revoked, and he was remanded to Chester County Prison to await sentencing at a later date. The case was investigated by Pennsylvania State Police Troop J Embreeville and the Chester County Detectives, with Chief of Trials Michelle Frei and DDA Nicole Morley serving as the assigned prosecutors.
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