Credit: Friends of Tina Davis
A 23-year-old Burlington County, New Jersey man waived his right to a preliminary hearing last month and will head to trial accused of firing shots, and aiming his gun at a Bristol Borough Police officer.
Shazir Burrell, through his lawyer William Joshua Buchanan, Esq., told District Judge David J. Chichilitti he was waiving his right to the hearing and will now head to trial on aggravated assault, simple assault, hindering apprehension, evading arrest and related charges at a Sept. 23 court appearance.
According to court records, at around 10:25 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, police were dispatched for reports of gunfire in the alleyway around Race and Spruce Streets. Officers were advised by county dispatch that there were two suspects, both described as Black males dressed in all black wearing ski masks and were reportedly running in an alley towards Buckley Street.
Officer Chris Tehan, according to court records, turned onto Buckley St. from Bath Street and and saw two Black males fitting the suspects’ provided description. Tehan and Officer Tim McNamara pulled up next to the men, who immediately fled in opposite directions. The shorter suspect, while holding onto his waistband, fled towards Bath St. The taller suspect. who was wearing white sneakers, police say. ran toward Beaver Street before turning left onto Race St.
Both officers continued the pursuit on foot after a suspect ran towards a small clearing at 208 Buckley St. and pulled their weapons as he came towards police. He was commanded to put his hands in the air and get on the ground. He was taken into custody and subsequently searched for weapons, in which none were found, police said.
Police identified the suspect as Burrell who was read his Miranda rights. He denied having a gun and shooting anyone, police said in court records.
Tehan, in the probable cause, alleged Burrell pointed what was later determined to be a Glock handgun at him during the police pursuit
Middletown Township Police K-9 unit arrived on scene to search the area for a gun.
Shortly thereafter, according to the criminal complaint, police discovered the Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun in close proximity to a 200 block Buckley Street home.
Police said the second suspect fled the area. However, a law enforcement source told Lower Bucks Source an arrest warrant was in the process of being prepared by authorities.
In the days and hours following Burrell’s arrest, Bristol Borough Police initiated a full court press in that section of the borough in hopes of arresting the second suspect. According to community sources, who asked to remain anonymous, Burrell and his apparent friend were visiting a friend who lives in the North Ward.
The heavy police presence in tandem with a state-funded aggressive driver detail led to some sporadic complaints about the increased visibility of police along the Buckley Street corridor.
The second suspect remains at large despite police efforts to identify him, as of last check.
Burrell is due back in court on Oct. 23 for formal arraignment. He is currently out on bail.
Credit: Submitted