A promising young life was tragically cut short on a Tuesday afternoon in Chester, Pennsylvania, when 15-year-old Edward Lil-Ricky Harmon Jr. was shot and killed. The incident, which also claimed the life of another 15-year-old boy and injured two other youths, unfolded around 2 p.m. on March 10, 2020, on the 200 block of Broomall Street. Harmon, a sophomore and a member of the Chester High School basketball team, was reportedly playing basketball with friends when the gunfire erupted.
Upon their arrival, police discovered Harmon and another juvenile on the ground, both having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Edward Harmon Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene. A block away, on Mary Street, officers found the second deceased teenager, Tayvonne Avery, who had also been shot numerous times. A third victim was transported to a local medical center in serious condition, while a fourth teenager, who had been shot in the torso, walked into the hospital and was listed in good condition.
Known as 'Lil Ricky,' Edward was remembered for his love of basketball, a sport he was deeply passionate about. His family and friends described him as a fun-loving kid who was focused on sports, school, and friends, not street life. His grandmother proudly recalled how he made a positive impact on the community. In the wake of the tragedy, the Chester High School basketball team decided to proceed with a scheduled state tournament game in honor of their fallen teammate.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officials began an investigation into the quadruple shooting. Investigators, however, did not immediately disclose a possible motive for the attack. A significant reward was offered for information that would lead to an arrest in the case. As of the latest available online reports, there has been no public announcement regarding any arrests made or suspects identified in the shooting deaths of Edward Harmon Jr. and Tayvonne Avery. The case remains a painful and unresolved tragedy for their families and the Chester community.
