One of the two arrested suspects in the Roxborough High School ambush shooting that left a 14-year-old boy dead was previously arrested and charged with killing a pregnant woman’s baby while participating in an illegal street race. Yaaseen Bivins, now 21, was found not guilty on the most serious charges stemming from that case, including third-degree murder, in a bench trial by Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Ehrlich, Steve Keeley of Fox 29 Philadelphia reported. A Bench trial is when a judge without a jury decides the verdict.
Bivins and one other suspect have been arrested and charged following the shooting that left a 14-year-old Roxborough High School football player dead. A group of five gunmen exited a vehicle and proceeded to fire multiple shots at the Roxborough teens in a targeted attack, police said.
The teens had just wrapped up a scrimmage with a rival high school when the gunmen pulled up and opened fire.
Nicholas Elizalde of Havertown was killed in the shooting, though police believe another member of the group was the target. One of the gunmen reportedly stood over one of the wounded victims and proceeded to pull the trigger of his weapon, but he was out of ammunition. The group then fled in an SUV.
Bivins has been accused of partaking in the assault and has been charged with murder, aggravated assault and related charges. Bivins, 21, and Zyhied Jones, 17, have both been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting. Dayron Burney-Thorn, 16, was the first of the suspects to be publicly identified and remains at large. Police have also issued an arrest warrant for Troy Fletcher, 15.
PPD has identified a 4th shooter involved in the Roxborough HS mass shooting/ murder
Suspect #4: Troy Fletcher, 15 years old, DOB: 04/20/07.
BURNEY-THORN and FLETCHER are FUGITIVES OF JUSTICE pic.twitter.com/BQtfvVLIqA
— PhillyCrimeUpdate (@PhillyCrimeUpd) October 14, 2022
In August, a judge convicted Yaaseen Bivins of aggravated assault by vehicle after causing the death of an unborn child during a crash. He was acquitted of third-degree murder and conspiracy charges in the case after a bench trial.
A bench trial is when a judge handles a case without a jury present.
Bivens’ car struck a 27-year-old pregnant woman at the corner of Broad and Diamond Streets on July 20, 2020. He was competing in an illegal street race when he lost control of his vehicle, crashed into another car, and ultimately struck the woman.
The victim was seriously injured and was transported to Temple University Hospital, where doctors performed an emergency c-section. The baby, a girl, did not survive and was pronounced dead shortly after delivery.
He was originally charged with 18 crimes in connection with the fatal street race, but was ultimately convicted on just two.
Yaaseen Bivins was on the streets while he awaited sentencing in the street race case.
Yaaseen Bivens was later found NOT guilty of the most serious charges in a bench trial by Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Ehrlich. A Bench trial is when a judge without a jury decides the verdict. And that’s why Bivens was out of prison. @FOX29philly
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) October 12, 2022
