On the evening of May 31, 2026, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 23-year-old Skyy Zayaz-Toney was tragically killed in a hail of gunfire. The shooting occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. in the 1000 block of West Chester Road. Authorities reported that a ShotSpotter device in the area detected 22 gunshots, and police later recovered more than two dozen bullets, shell casings, and bullet fragments from the scene.
Zayaz-Toney was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to Paoli Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. A 2021 graduate of Coatesville Area High School, Skyy was remembered as a young man with a passion for music and a quiet, thoughtful nature. His obituary described him as having a strong character, with a deep love for his family and friends.
The investigation into the shooting was a joint effort between the Coatesville Police Department and the Chester County District Attorney's Office. Investigators quickly identified a gold Chevrolet Malibu with Pennsylvania registration NDD6740 as a vehicle used by the assailants. Believing that multiple shooters were involved, authorities appealed to the public for assistance, asking residents to review home security footage from the hours of the incident. The day after the shooting, their investigation led to an arrest.
On June 1, 2026, authorities arrested 23-year-old Darius Bolden of Coatesville in connection with the murder. He was charged with first-degree murder and related offenses. Following a preliminary arraignment before Judge Gregory Hines, Bolden was remanded to Chester County Prison and held without bail. The Chester County District Attorney's Office stated that Bolden's arrest was just the "first step towards justice" and reiterated their belief that others were involved in the fatal shooting. The gold Chevrolet Malibu believed to be used in the crime was located and seized by law enforcement. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to search for additional suspects. As of early June 2026, the case against Darius Bolden is in its initial stages, with a court event noted for June 10th.
