Coroner ID's victims killed in York City shooting

The York County Coroner's Office has identified two people killed in a York City shooting Wednesday night.

The coroner's office said in a news release that Dezmen Jones, 15, and Jameel Robert Murray, 28, died in a shooting in the 600 block of West Princess Street Wednesday, Sept. 26.

The shooting happened just before 8 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of West Princess and South West streets, York City Mayor Michael Helfrich said at the scene.

Officers responding to a report of shots fired found the shooting victims, the mayor said. 

Murray was dead at the scene, and Dezmen was injured, York City Police stated in a news release.

Dezmen was taken to York Hospital, where he died around 9 p.m., according to the coroner's office.  

Autopsies for both are scheduled at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown for the morning of Friday, Sept. 27.

Erin James, spokeswoman for the York City School District, said Dezmen was a freshman at William Penn High School. 

She said a letter was sent out to parents informing them of Dezmen's passing. James said counseling will be available to students. 

Chief Troy Bankert said detectives are still investigating and did not have additional information to release by Thursday afternoon. 

Murray: Murray has an extensive criminal history in York County. Recently, Murray was charged in a stabbing in West York. 

Police said he stabbed a man in the 700 block of Madison Avenue on March 1. York City Police arrested him at his home a few hours later.

More:Chief: Man stabbed in West York, quick arrest made

More:Police: Man stabbed in York City during drug deal gone bad

In April, Murray pleaded guilty to simple assault, and his aggravated assault charge was dropped. He was sentenced to 30 days in York County Prison.

In March 2011, Murray and his cousin knocked a 55-year-old woman to the ground and stole her purse in the 800 block of West Poplar Street. 

He pleaded guilty to the robbery and was sentenced to two years of probation.

In November 2009 he pointed a bow and arrow at a guest in his home. He was charged with simple assault, which he pleaded guilty to almost two years later. He was sentenced to two years of probation, according to court records. 

Victim: Murray was also the victim of multiple incidents in York City. 

York City Police have said he was stabbed about 12:30 a.m. June 11, 2017, near the corner of West Market and South West streets during a drug deal that went bad.

He suffered four stab wounds to the back and two cuts to his face, none of which were life-threatening, according to police.

After being attacked, Murray went home, police said, adding he reported the stabbing to police nearly eight hours later.

In October 2012, Murray was shot at because he was defending the police, according to officials. York City Police said Murray was confronted by a group of people at the corner of South Belvidere Avenue and West Poplar Street. 

An officer who heard gunfire responded to the area and flagged down Murray, who said the group of people accused him of calling the police on them.

Murray told them, "The cops are the only ones who help us," according to police. He turned and walked away, and he then heard someone shooting.

In September 2009, Murray was robbed of $20 during a fight with two men, officials said. Police said the altercation happened at Fahs Street and Kelley Drive.

At the time, he gave police multiple version of what happened, with varying details, according to officials.

Anyone with information about Wednesday's shooting is asked to call York City Police at 717-846-1234 or text tips to 847-411 or through the York City Police app. Texting is the best method of conveying information about this incident, and it is anonymous, police said.

— Reach Christopher Dornblaser at cdornblaser@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @YDDornblaser.