COATESVILLE, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A 20-year-old Coatesville man was charged with accidentally shooting and killing his 18-year-old friend with an illegal gun. Now police are calling on the public to address gun culture among the youth.
Chester County authorities said 20-year-old Dapree Bryant of Coatesville was hanging out in the garage with his friend, 18-year-old Daryl Perry, on May 29. Bryant allegedly picked up a gun that he didn't know was loaded and it went off striking Perry.
Perry, a new father, was transported to the hospital with wounds to his head and neck. He died the next day.
According to investigators, a 9mm "ghost gun" – a gun assembled from do-it-yourself kits – and a box of bullets were found in Bryant's car.
Another illegal gun was also located.
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Bryant was charged with involuntary manslaughter, recklessly endangering another person, firearms not to be carried without a license and related offenses.
City of Coatesville Police Chief John Laufer said the root cause of the tragedy was access to illegal firearms, and that the community as a whole needs to come together to change the culture where guns are readily accepted by our youth.
Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said the county is starting to see a disturbing trend in "ghost guns."