A promising life, marked by an act of extraordinary bravery, was tragically cut short on Sunday, January 29, 2023. Anthony Alexander Jr., a 17-year-old male from Collingdale, Pennsylvania, was fatally shot in an apartment on the 2400 block of Marshall Road in Upper Darby. The teenager, who had been lauded as a hero for rescuing three children from an icy pond the previous year, was at a gathering with other young people, reportedly an Eagles playoff party.
The tragic incident unfolded while a group of teenagers and young adults were streaming on Instagram Live. A firearm was being passed around when it accidentally discharged, striking Anthony. He was rushed to a local hospital but did not survive his injuries. The news of his death sent shockwaves through a community that had recently celebrated his courage. Less than a year earlier, in February 2022, Anthony had risked his own life to save three children who had fallen into a frozen pond in Collingdale Park. For his heroic actions, he had received local and national recognition and was scheduled to receive a civilian award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
In the aftermath of the shooting, 16-year-old Diamire Hickman of Collingdale turned himself in to the authorities. Hickman admitted that the gun had accidentally discharged while it was being handled during the live stream. He was charged as an adult with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and related firearms offenses. Subsequently, Hickman was adjudicated delinquent on involuntary manslaughter charges and was placed in a juvenile facility. Anthony, a junior at Academy Park High School who loved football and basketball, had dreams of joining the Marine Corps, following in the footsteps of his eldest sister. His untimely death left his family and community to mourn the loss of a young man who had already demonstrated immense bravery and had a bright future ahead of him.
