PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The 15-year-old son of an advocate for the homeless in Pottstown is charged as an adult with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting a man who was experiencing homelessness.
According to a criminal complaint, several witnesses saw 15-year-old Thomas Niarhos confront 39-year-old Jeremiah Hawkins on Nov. 22 near the Pottstown Train Station at Hanover and High streets. Witnesses told police that Niarhos fired two shots at Hawkins at close range, striking him in the head.
Officials said Niarhos threw the gun down and walked away, but several bystanders held him down until police got there.
According to the criminal complaint, Niarhos is seen on a police officer’s body camera screaming at first responders, “Don’t be sorry for him, he raped a 15-year-old girl. Don’t help him.”
The complaint says police investigated the rape allegations in July after they found Niarhos loitering in the same area, waiting for Hawkins. Police said the family of the girl involved did not want to pursue a criminal investigation.
Niarhos’ father, also named Thomas Niarhos, is the executive director of Pottstown Beacon of Hope, a warming center for people experiencing homelessness.
According to the complaint, the gun that the 15-year-old is accused of using belongs to his father. The father said the gun was kept loaded in a locked nightstand, and he was unaware that his son had access to it.
The father is not charged with any crimes. The son is charged as an adult with first- and third-degree murder. He is being held at Montgomery County Youth Center without bail.