Less than a year after being celebrated as a hero, Anthony Alexander Jr., a 17-year-old Black male from Collingdale, Pennsylvania, had his promising life cut short. In February 2022, Anthony had courageously rescued three children who fell through the ice of a frozen pond in Collingdale Park. For his bravery, he was set to receive a Young Hero Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. A junior at Academy Park High School, Anthony was described by family as having a good heart and an infectious smile. He loved football, basketball, and karate, and dreamed of joining the Marine Corps like his eldest stepsister.
The tragedy occurred on Sunday, January 29, 2023, inside an apartment on the 2400 block of Marshall Road in Upper Darby. Anthony was at a gathering with other teenagers, reportedly to watch an Eagles playoff game. During the get-together, a group of teens began streaming on Instagram Live while passing around two handguns. One of the teens, 16-year-old Diamire Hickman, was holding a Glock-style handgun when he later told police he “put his hand on the trigger a teeny bit,” causing the gun to fire.
The single bullet struck Anthony in the face. When officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 4:45 p.m., they found Anthony on a couch in the living room. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In the immediate aftermath, Hickman and the other witnesses fled the apartment. Surveillance footage from the neighborhood later showed Hickman hopping a fence and concealing a handgun.
The following day, Diamire Hickman of Collingdale turned himself in to Upper Darby Police, accompanied by his mother and his attorney. During an interview with investigators, Hickman admitted to accidentally shooting Anthony, stating he did not realize a round of ammunition was in the chamber of the firearm.
Hickman was arrested and charged as an adult with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and related weapons offenses. According to the latest available information from February 2023, his case was pending.
