15-Year-Old Charged with Murder of Man Accused of Raping Girlfriend

Accident – Death – Obituary News : 15-Year-Old Charged with Murder of Itinerant Accused of Raping Girlfriend, Father Devastated

A shocking incident unfolded in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, as a 15-year-old boy was charged with the murder of Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins, a 39-year-old itinerant man, who was accused of raping the teenager’s 16-year-old girlfriend. The accused, Thomas James Niarhos of Stowe, now faces first-degree murder charges following the death of Hawkins.

The tragedy occurred on Wednesday when police responded to a call and found Hawkins, who was experiencing homelessness, with a gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses at the scene held Niarhos, who was immediately taken into custody by the police.

During the investigation, authorities recovered a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson semi-automatic firearm, which was later determined to belong to Niarhos’ father, Tom Niarhos, a homeless advocate. The elder Niarhos, who works as the Executive Director of the Pottstown Beacon of Hope, a charity providing emergency shelter and support to the homeless, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He conveyed his condolences to Hawkins’ family and confirmed that the victim was not associated with their organization.

According to investigators, the motive behind the shooting may be linked to an alleged sexual assault on Niarhos’ girlfriend four months prior. Police records show that Niarhos had reported in July that Hawkins had allegedly raped his 16-year-old girlfriend. However, at that time, the girl’s family did not cooperate with the police, and her mother stated that they did not wish to press charges.

Witness interviews and surveillance footage revealed that Niarhos sought out Hawkins, and the two were seen arguing before the shooting occurred. Niarhos allegedly extended his arm towards Hawkins, who swung a tire at him in response. Ignoring the attack, Niarhos fired a single shot at Hawkins’ face, causing him to fall to the ground. He then fired another shot before dropping the firearm and walking away, where bystanders detained him until the arrival of the police.

As Niarhos was being escorted to the police station, his outburst at first responders trying to save Hawkins was captured on an officer’s body camera. He reportedly shouted, “He’s a rapist, don’t be sorry for him… he raped a 15-year-old girl, don’t help him.”

A former roommate of Hawkins, Anthony Colavecci, who is also homeless, spoke to the media after the incident. He referred to Hawkins as “Jay” and stated that Hawkins had saved his life on a previous occasion. Colavecci mentioned that Hawkins had recently struggled with drug addiction and acknowledged that there would be people who would miss him.

The elder Niarhos, upon receiving a phone call urging him to report to the police department, confirmed that the recovered firearm belonged to him and had gone missing from his home. He also informed the police that he had found a note and a packed bag in his son’s bedroom, indicating a plan to run away.

An autopsy conducted by Dr. Khalil Wardak, a forensic pathologist with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, revealed that Hawkins had been shot once in the side of his face at close range. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Thomas James Niarhos now faces charges as an adult, including first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and possessing a firearm as a minor. He was arraigned on November 22, 2023, before Magisterial District Judge Margaret Hunsicker and has been remanded to the Montgomery County Youth Center. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 30, 2023, before Magisterial District Judge Scott T. Palladino.

The incident has left the community shocked and devastated, as the tragic circumstances surrounding the murder continue to unfold..