A classroom altercation at Erie High School on December 17 escalated into a deadly shooting near the intersection of West 31st and Liberty streets, claiming the life of 17-year-old Armoni Cantu and injuring another teenager.
Surveillance footage captured three students outside a classroom, with one of them, later identified as 17-year-old Jamarion J.L. Boone, yelling into the room. Despite staff efforts to intervene, Boone continued his disruptive behavior before leaving the school at 3:52 p.m.
Just minutes later, shots were fired from a red Ford Fusion into a crowd near the intersection, about five blocks from the school. Cantu suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest, and another 17-year-old, identified by the initials N.S., sustained a gunshot wound to the face. A red Chrysler 200 parked nearby was also struck. Erie police have confirmed that the classroom altercation was linked to the shooting.
Boone, alleged to have been in the back seat of the Ford Fusion during the incident, has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, and other offenses. Authorities continue to search for Boone, who remains at large.
Two co-defendants, 18-year-old Martavion C.D. Thompson and 17-year-old Jahmeir O. Bibbs, were arrested on December 18. Both face similar charges and are being held without bail. Thompson is detained at Erie County Prison, while Bibbs is at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an ongoing rivalry between two local groups. Police revealed that the classroom dispute involved Boone and an occupant of the Chrysler 200, which was targeted during the shooting.
Further evidence, including surveillance footage and Thompson’s statement, implicated Boone and Bibbs as the alleged shooters. Thompson admitted to being in the front passenger seat of the Fusion and confirmed the shots were fired from the back seat. As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward. The accused remain innocent until proven guilty in court.