Teenager Charged with Murder After Shooting Hiker Accused of Raping Girlfriend

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Thomas James Niarhos, a 15-year-old boy from Stowe, Pennsylvania, has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting and killing Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins, a 39-year-old homeless man. The incident took place in Pottstown, Pennsylvania on Wednesday afternoon. Investigators believe that the motive behind the shooting may be related to an alleged sexual assault on Niarhos’ 16-year-old girlfriend four months prior.

According to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, Niarhos was detained by witnesses at the scene and was immediately taken into custody by the police. A Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm, later determined to be the gun of Niarhos’ father, Tom Niarhos, was recovered by officers. Tom Niarhos, who works as the executive director of the homeless advocacy group Beacon of Hope, expressed his devastation over the incident, describing it as a tragedy.

Thomas James Niarhos has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins, who was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Hawkins was not known to Beacon of Hope, the organization where Tom Niarhos works. The charity provides emergency shelter and support for homeless people in the area. Tom Niarhos, who himself experienced homelessness in the past, has been the charity’s chief executive for three years.

Investigations into the shooting suggest that the alleged sexual assault on Niarhos’ girlfriend may have been the motive behind the incident. Niarhos had previously reported to the police in July that Hawkins had raped his girlfriend, but no charges were pressed at the time due to lack of cooperation from the girl’s family. Witness interviews and surveillance footage reveal that Niarhos and Hawkins engaged in an argument before the shooting took place. Niarhos allegedly fired a single shot at Hawkins’ face, causing him to fall to the ground. He then fired another shot before dropping the gun and walking away, where he was restrained by bystanders.

As Niarhos was being escorted to the police station, he reportedly shouted to emergency services, “He’s a rapist, don’t have pity on him… he raped a 15-year-old girl, don’t help him.” Anthony Colavecci, a homeless individual who knew Hawkins, described him as a former roommate and someone who had saved his life in the past. Colavecci expressed his sadness over Hawkins’ death, acknowledging that there are people who will miss him.

Upon receiving a call from a distressed friend, Tom Niarhos instructed them to contact the police. He later identified the recovered firearm as his own and reported that it was missing from his home. He also found a note and a packed bag of clothes in his son’s bedroom, indicating a plan to escape.

An autopsy performed on Hawkins revealed that he had been shot once at close range in the side of his face, with the cause of death being a gunshot wound to the head. Thomas James Niarhos has been charged as an adult with first- and third-degree murder, as well as possession of a firearm as a minor. He was arraigned on November 22, 2023, and is currently remanded at the Montgomery County Youth Center. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 30, 2023.

This tragic incident has left the community shocked and saddened, prompting discussions about the complexities surrounding such cases and the importance of addressing sexual assault allegations through proper legal channels..