Teen released in Cherry Twp. shooting case
One of three teenagers arrested following a shooting last week in Cherry Township no longer is facing charges.
Henry A. Leroy, 19, of East Brady walked out of the Butler County Prison shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday after prosecutors withdrew felony charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault.
Before his release, he had been held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Prosecutor Russ Karl, a Butler County assistant district attorney, said the charges were withdrawn Tuesday “for further investigation.”
He would not elaborate.
He noted that Leroy still could face charges down the road, but again declined further comment. The state police investigator in the case did not immediately return a telephone call.
Along with Leroy, police arrested Adam J. Rodgers, 19, of Chicora, and Tyler A. Martin, 17, of Slippery Rock, in connection with a shooting Thursday on New Hope Road. No one was injured.
Rodgers and Martin are charged with attempted homicide and aggravated assault. They remain in the county prison, with Rodgers in lieu of $500,000 bond and Martin in lieu of $100,000 bond.
Police said they were called around 1:30 p.m. for a report of shots fired near the home of the victim, a 19-year-old man.
Troopers later identified Rodgers as the shooter, according to charging documents. Moments before the shooting, Rodgers allegedly had challenged the victim to a fistfight via Facebook Messenger.
The victim recounted that as they approached each other on the road, “Rodgers produced a black handgun from his right pants pocket,” according to documents.
The victim told investigators he retreated. But, he continued, “Rodgers began to fire the gun at him,” documents stated. He related that the defendant screamed “for someone to bring up the car.”
Police later identified the vehicle as a Dodge Caravan that they believe Martin was driving. Leroy, documents show, was believed to be riding in the minivan, which fled.
Troopers later found Rodgers, who was taken into custody. Police also subsequently found Martin and Leroy at a home on Haysville Road in Fairview Township.
During interviews, according to documents, Martin and Leroy told investigators that Rodgers had requested a ride to the Boyers area, and they complied.
They turned around in the minivan after Rodgers had gotten out, and they heard gunshots. They picked up Rodgers, and the three drove to the home on Haysville Road, where allegedly the gun was disposed of and Rodgers changed his clothes.
Preliminary hearings for Rodgers and Martin are scheduled for Tuesday at the office of District Judge Lewis Stoughton in Chicora.
Rodgers' father was arrested Friday at his home for allegedly removing the gun they believe was used in the shooting from the Haysville Road home before troopers could search the home.
David V. Rodgers, 57, of Donegal Township was arraigned on charges of prohibited possession of a firearm and hindering apprehension or prosecution, both felonies.
Because of a prior conviction, according to charging documents, David Rodgers, under state law, is barred from having guns.
He also is charged with a misdemeanor count of tampering with physical evidence. He is free on $30,000 bail.
