COATESVILLE, Pa. — A 15-year-old boy is being charged as an adult with attempted criminal homicide after police say he shot a 14-year-old boy in Coatesville on Tuesday evening, then fled to the King of Prussia Mall, where he was arrested about an hour later.
At about 6:08 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, the City of Coatesville Police Department received a ShotSpotter alert indicating that 11 rounds had been fired near East Chestnut Street and North 8th Avenue, police said.
Responding officers found a 14-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the lower torso. 6abc reported that first responders found him about a block away on East Diamond Street. The teen was taken for treatment and remains hospitalized at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in fair condition, police said. Police have not released his name.
Arrest at the King of Prussia Mall
Police said the suspected shooter was seen fleeing the area in a vehicle. At about 7:10 p.m., the vehicle was found in the parking lot of the King of Prussia Mall in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County. With help from the Upper Merion Township Police Department, two people were taken into custody and brought back to Coatesville for further investigation.
Charges
Detectives charged 15-year-old Zaid-An Butcher, who is being prosecuted as an adult, with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license, recklessly endangering another person and related offenses, police said.
Butcher was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James C. Kovaleski and committed to the Chester County Youth Detention Center after failing to post $150,000 bail.
A second person, 18-year-old Jonah Riggs, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license. Riggs was also arraigned before Judge Kovaleski and committed to Chester County Prison after failing to post $150,000 bail, police said. 6abc reported that police said Butcher left the area in the vehicle with Riggs.
Police have not said what led to the shooting or whether the teens knew each other.
What we know so far
- When: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at about 6:08 p.m.
- Where: Near East Chestnut Street and North 8th Avenue, Coatesville, Chester County.
- Victim: A 14-year-old boy, in fair condition at CHOP.
- Charged: Zaid-An Butcher, 15 (as an adult), and Jonah Riggs, 18. Both held on $150,000 bail.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kevin Bochanski of the City of Coatesville Police Department at 610-384-2300.
All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sources: City of Coatesville Police Department via the Daily Local News, NBC10 Philadelphia and 6abc.
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