Listen to article \u2022\u00a00:00 min<\/p>\n
A man who fired shots during a gun battle<\/a> in West Philadelphia<\/a> that left three men dead and wounded several others two years ago was convicted of murder this week. <\/p>\n Tahir Shoatz<\/a>, 30, was found guilty of third-degree murder in the death of Sekayi Robinson, 23, as well as attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, four counts of reckless endangerment, and three firearms offenses, following a bench trial in Common Pleas Court. <\/p>\n But Judge Roxanne Covington on Thursday acquitted Shoatz of murder in the deaths of brothers Akil Jones, 33, and Rashie Jones, 29, concluding that he did not fire the shots that killed them on July 21, 2024. <\/p>\n That night, gunfire shattered a block party on the 1200 block of North Alden Street, where more than 100 people had gathered, prosecutors said. In addition to the three killings, six people were injured by bullets \u2014 including Shoatz, who was shot in the abdomen, shoulder, and knee, and his co-defendant in the case, Amir Jones<\/a>, who was struck by two bullets on his left side. <\/p>\n Covington also acquitted Shoatz of 15 other charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, and other offenses. <\/p>\n The mass shooting stemmed from an argument between Akil Jones and Shoatz that turned physical when Shoatz reached for a handgun at his waistband, Assistant District Attorney Cydney Pope said during the trial. Amir Jones \u2014 who is the brother of Akil and Rashie Jones \u2014 intervened in the fray to help his brother, Pope said, seconds before the first shot rang out. <\/p>\n