In the early morning hours of August 27, 2020, the life of Warren Khaleef Curtis II, a 40-year-old African American man, was tragically cut short in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Just after 12:30 a.m., police responded to reports of a shooting and found Curtis lying on the sidewalk at 729 E. Lincoln Highway with gunshot wounds to his upper torso. He was rushed to Brandywine Hospital but was pronounced dead at 1:34 a.m.
Investigators followed a trail of blood from where Curtis was found to
the front porch of a residence at 22 N. 7th Ave., where he lived with his girlfriend. Several 9mm shell casings were discovered on the porch. Surveillance footage from the area captured a man in a white T-shirt, matching the description of what Curtis was wearing, being chased from the porch by another man in dark clothing. Witnesses reported hearing one gunshot, followed by three more, and seeing a man being chased.
The investigation quickly led police to identify 39-year-old Stephen Derez Young of Parkesburg as the suspect. When officers attempted to make contact with Young, he pointed a semi-automatic handgun at an officer before barricading himself inside the residence at 729 E. Lincoln Highway. A standoff ensued, with approximately 30 law enforcement units establishing a perimeter. After several hours, Young surrendered to police and was taken into custody. A black semi-automatic 9mm handgun was recovered from the home.
Stephen Derez Young was charged with first-degree murder and other related offenses. He later pleaded guilty to third-degree murder. During the court proceedings, friends and family of Warren Khaleef Curtis II gave emotional victim impact statements, remembering him as a loving father and a faithful friend. Young was sentenced to serve 28 years and three months to 56 ½ years in state prison for the murder and other charges.
