WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County Court of Common Pleas Judge Allison Royer yesterday sentenced 39-year-old Stephen Young of Parkesburg, PA, to more than 28-56 years in state prison for fatally shooting 40-year-old Warren Curtis, in Coatesville, PA. Young was also sentenced for an additional case involving charges of possessing an illegal firearm and DUI. On April 11, 2023, the defendant entered an open guilty plea to third degree murder, aggravated assault against a police officer, person not to possess a firearm, firearms not to be carried without a license, and DUI for the two incidents.
“The defendant has demonstrated that he had no value for human life when he murdered Warren Curtis. This was another senseless homicide that greatly impacts not only the victim’s family and loved ones but the whole community. During his standoff with police he turned his gun on a police officer who risked his own life in order to arrest the defendant for his crimes,” stated Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. “This lawlessness will never be tolerated in our county and we commend the officer for his bravery. We thank the City of Coatesville Police Department and the Chester County Detectives for securing justice for Mr. Curtis.”
According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Michelle Frei, on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at approximately 12:17 a.m., City of Coatesville Police Officers were dispatched to 729 E. Lincoln Highway for a shooting. Officers found 40-year-old Warren Curtis laying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso area. He was transported to Brandywine Hospital, where he succumbed to his gunshot wounds.
Coatesville officers discovered a trail of blood from where they found Warren Curtis through an open lot to Diamond Street. Officers followed this trail west on Diamond Street to the intersection at North 7th Street where they found several 9mm shell casings on the front porch of 22 N. 7th Avenue. Detectives reviewed street camera footage that showed the defendant fire four shots at the victim. After the shooting, the defendant changed his clothes and fled to Lancaster County.
On Thursday, August 27th, the defendant returned to the residence. A citizen called 911 to report that the defendant had returned and still had a firearm. Police responded and observed the defendant on the front porch of the residence wearing a black t-shirt. The officer gave the defendant several verbal commands to come off the porch, but Young refused. Instead, he began walking backwards into the residence. The officer walked up on the porch and continued giving verbal commands. The defendant said “no” and proceeded to point a black semi-automatic handgun at the officer’s chest. The officer dove out of the way to avoid getting shot. Soon after, more officers arrived on scene, and the defendant eventually surrendered.
On August 11, 2020, at approximately 8:20 a.m., an officer of the City of Coatesville Police Department was dispatched to the area of West Chester Road and South Caln Road in East Fallowfield Township for the report of a one-vehicle crash. Witnesses on scene told officers that the defendant was driving erratically while traveling east on West Chester Road. After the defendant consented to have his blood drawn, the lab found methamphetamine in his system. The defendant was also illegally in possession of a revolver handgun at the time of the crash. The Chester County Detectives confirmed that the defendant is a person not to possess a firearm due to prior felony convictions.
An investigation by the City of Coatesville Police Department and Chester County Detectives led to the successful prosecution of Stephen Young. Chief Deputy District Attorney Michelle Frei was the prosecutor.
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