Police seek the public’s help in locating a 17-year-old suspect in shooting at bowling alley in East Norriton

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and East Norriton Police Chief Brendan Pasquale announced today the filing of charges against Jamel Barnwell, 17, of Upper Darby, related to the shooting that took place inside Our Town Bowling Lanes in East Norriton Township on Saturday, February 21st. The shooting left one person dead and four others injured. The deceased man was identified as Frank Wade, 29, of Philadelphia.

East Norriton Police responded to Our Town Bowling Lanes on Saturday, February 20th at approximately 6:43 p.m. for multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired at the bowling alley. Once at the scene, East Norriton officers located discovered the deceased near an entryway, as well as four other relatives of Wade’s who had been shot. They are Yahnirr Brooks, 21; Shamir Jones, 31; Robert Oliver, 26; and Ahmir Simmons, 19. Detectives recovered 15 fired 45-caliber cartridge casings as well as five projectiles—one in the ceiling and four in the floor.

Montgomery County Detectives and East Norriton Police utilized video surveillance and witness interviews to determine that three men, one of whom was identified as Barnwell, had entered the bowling alley at approximately 6:39 p.m. A physical altercation occurred minutes later at 6:42 p.m. During the altercation, Barnwell pulled a firearm with an extended magazine from inside his jacket and begins shooting. Then the three men fled the bowling alley, leaving behind three cell phones, one of which belonged to Barnwell.

The photos at the top of this article were discovered by investigators on Barnwell’s phone and were provided with a press release from the Montgomery County District Attorney Office.

“This shooting that left one man dead and another four injured is another act of violence by someone who is not allowed to own or possess a gun,” said Steele. “We are searching for all three men involved and are asking for the public’s help in finding the shooter, Barnwell. If you see him, do not approach him as he is considered armed and dangerous having fled the bowling alley with the gun he used to kill Frank Wade. Call 911 immediately.”

An autopsy on Wade’s body was conducted today by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, which determined that the cause of death is multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death is homicide.

A warrant has been issued for Barnwell to face charges of First-Degree Murder, Third-Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Possessing an Instrument of Crime, and related charges. Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating Barnwell, who should be considered armed and dangerous. Barnwell is a Black male, 6-feet, 1-inch tall, and weighs approximately 150 pounds.

If anyone has information on Barnwell’s whereabouts or the other two men involved, they are asked to call the Montgomery County Detective Bureau’s Crime Tip Line at 610-278-DOIT (3648).