A teen from Pennsylvania, is facing first-degree murder charges, after he stole his father’s gun and used it to kill a homeless man.
Thomas James Niarhos, of Stowe, accused 39-year-old Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins of sexually assaulting someone close to him before shooting him Wednesday near railroad tracks in Pottstown.
Authorities stated that they saw surveillance footage of Niarhos seeking out Hawkins, who had swung a tire at the suspect in an attempt to knock the gun out of his hand.
However, Niarhos shot Hawkins once in the head, causing him to fall to the ground. The teen fired the gun a second time before dropping the weapon.
Authorities said, “As the teen walked away from the murder scene, he was detained by witnesses and eventually taken into custody by our officers.”
“Niarhos told officers Hawkins was a rapist and he hurt a 16-year old girl that was close to him,” authorities added.
While first reponders were trying to tend to Hawkins’ wounds, Niarhos could be heard shouting “Don’t feel sorry for him. He’s a rapist!”
Niarhos told the authorities that Hawkins had raped his friend behind the dumpsters and he went looking for him to seek revenge.
According to investigators, the motive in the shooting may be related to an alleged sexual assault of Niarhos’ girlfriend four months earlier.
Earlier police records indicate that Niarhos had told officers in July that Hawkins had allegedly raped his 16-year-old girlfriend. The girl has not been identified.
Pottstown Police investigated the accusations at the time but received no cooperation from the girl’s family, and her mother told police they did not wish to press charges.
Hawkins, who was described by authorities as an unhoused person, was pronounced dead at Pottstown Hospital. An autopsy determined he died of a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a homicide.
Investigators recovered a .40 Smith & Wesson semi-automatic firearm at the scene, which they later learned belonged to Niarhos’ father.
Niarhos has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, possessing a firearm by a minor, and other related criminal offenses.
The teen was arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Margaret Hunsicker and sent to the Montgomery County Youth Center, where he is being held without bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Nov. 30, 2023, before Magisterial District Judge Scott T. Palladino.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Chief of Trials Lauren Marvel and Assistant District Attorney Anne O’Connell.
