Background: The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, residence where police say the shooting took place (WPVI/YouTube). Inset: Jackson Roberts (Philadelphia Police Department).
A Pennsylvania university student allegedly pulled a handgun from a fanny pack and shot a man in the neck at a house where friends were gathered, then appeared to smile while holding the weapon, authorities say.
Jackson Roberts, 22, faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime with intent, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, according to Philadelphia County court records reviewed by Law&Crime. He remains held at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on $2 million bail.
The shooting reportedly happened around 9 a.m. Monday at a residence in the 900 block of West Dauphin Street in North Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Police Department said. Roberts is a Drexel University student, according to his LinkedIn profile and confirmation from the school to local ABC affiliate WPVI.
Police said Roberts was visiting a friend with several other people. Reports indicate that alcohol and drugs, including cocaine and ketamine, were being used at the home.
WPVI reported that a woman inside the house told investigators she had been in the living room with Roberts and her boyfriend, who was later shot. She said she turned toward the sink to put away a fork when she suddenly heard a gunfire.
According to her account, Roberts removed a firearm from a fanny pack and fired one round at the other man.
When she turned around, the woman allegedly saw Roberts “smiling while holding the gun.” She also noticed smoke coming from the weapon as he lowered it and her boyfriend fell backward, according to authorities.
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Investigators said no other person in the home witnessed the actual shooting. However, two witnesses reportedly saw Roberts holding the gun moments after hearing the shot.
Police were called to the residence and found Roberts alone in the backyard. Officers detained him, and he allegedly told them he did not remember what had happened.
The police department told Law&Crime that officers found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
The Philadelphia County District Attorney’s Office said the victim suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck, with a projectile still lodged in his body. Prosecutors warned that he may face permanent mobility problems. The victim is not enrolled at Drexel University.
Officers recovered a .45-caliber handgun from the kitchen counter. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the alleged shooting.
Drexel University told WPVI that it “is taking measures consistent with its policies and is cooperating with law enforcement.”
Roberts appeared for a preliminary arraignment Tuesday. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 20.
The post College student allegedly pulls .45 from fanny pack and shoots man in the neck while “smiling” in front of victim’s girlfriend: Police first appeared on Law & Crime.