Man Charged in Fatal Shooting of 9-year-old Gets 42 Years
One of four people to stand trial in connection to the death of a 9-year-old Bridgeton girl who was hit by a stray bullet while she slept has been sentenced to 42 years in prison.
On Friday, 21-year-old Leroy Frazier, III, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for aggravated manslaughter and 17 years in prison for attempted murder for a total of 42 years. According to KYW-TV, prosecutors say he must serve nearly 36 years before being eligible eligible for parole.
The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office says the charges stem from an incident July 17, 2018, in Bridgeton when Frazier and three other men, Michael Elliot, Zahmere McKoy, and Charles Gamble, opened fire on some people. None of the intended targets were hit, but a stray bullet struck and killed 9-year-old Jennifer Trejo while she slept in her bed.
Elliot, McKoy, and Gamble are all still pending trial. Frazier III was convicted by a Cumberland County grand jury last month.
Ruben Trejo, Jennifer's father, said in a statement that his daughter died in his arms. He said, "that was the darkest night of our lives."