A 22-year-old, unemployed Coatesville resident is in custody on murder charges for allegedly shooting a veteran who had recently been treated at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan and Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer announced the arrest of Sheron “Ryda” Purnell for the murder of Kevin Jalbert, 36, in Coatesville on Oct. 3. Purnell was taken into custody last week, said a press release from the District Attorney’s Office.
“This homicide took place in a crowded residential area with children out playing in the street,” said Hogan in the release. “The death of the victim was senseless. The defendant is lucky he did not also gun down an innocent child.”
According to the criminal complaint, the Coatesville Police Department received a call for shots fired at Sixth Avenue and Belmont Street, on Oct. 3, at 6:39 p.m. Officers found Jalbert lying on the grass with multiple – and subsequently fatal – gunshot wounds.
Investigators said that Jalbert had been walking down the street when he came into contact with a group of kids and yelled at them. The juveniles walked away, but Purnell showed up and engaged in a confrontation with the victim that was initially verbal. Both men walked up White Alley, where Purnell, who was prohibited from possessing a firearm, pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and shot the victim several times, the release said.
Police recovered eight .25 caliber shell casings from the area and spoke with multiple witnesses, four of whom identified Purnell as the shooter. An arrest warrant was issued on Oct. 31, but Purnell had fled; he was apprehended on Nov. 2.
“This case was solved by the courage of the witnesses who were willing to come forward and assist the authorities,” Hogan said in the release. “Combined with the hard work of the Coatesville Police Department and Chester County Detectives, this type of community cooperation is what Coatesville needs as the city looks to join other Chester County areas that have re-built themselves.”
According to court records, Purnell received a year’s probation in March 2014 after pleading guilty to carrying a firearm without a license.
Jalbert's obituary said he was born in Waterbury, Ct, graduated from Wolcott High School, and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
Anybody with information should contact Chester County Detective Kristin Lund at 610-344-6866 or Coatesville Detective Ryan Wright at 610-384-2300.
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