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Philly Man Sentenced In Bucks Basketball Park Shooting

A 26-year-old Philadelphia man was sentenced to 17 to 34 years in Pennsylvania State Prison for a shooting at a Bucks County basketball park in 2019.

Taariq Norris

Taariq Norris

Photo Credit: Bucks County DA

 Taariq Alfons Norris pleaded guilty last August to attempted murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, persons not to possess a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license, and possession of an instrument of crime, DA Matthew Weintraub said.

He entered the guilty plea midway through his jury trial. Common Pleas Judge C. Theodore Fritsch sentenced Norris to 17 to 34 years on the attempted murder charge Nov. 12. 

Norris also received concurrent sentences of 5 to 10 years on the conspiracy to commit aggravated assault charge and 6 to 12 years on the persons not to possess a firearm charge. He was also ordered to pay $1,758.82 restitution to the Pennsylvania Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

Norris was arrested in October 2019 after a months-long investigation into the March 28, 2019 attack. Security camera captured Norris and an unidentified male get out of a car about two blocks from the scene of the shooting around 7 p.m. that day.

The two men split up as they arrive to the park at 1200 block of Marie Lowe Drive, and approached the victim in a parking lot from opposite directions, the video shows. Norris and the co-conspirator fired several times at the victim with Norris appearing to aim toward the back of the victim’s head. 

During the shooting, the victim got a gun and fired back, striking Norris. The victim was hospitalized for several weeks. 

DNA evidence gathered from the scene and submitted for forensic examination also tied Norris to the shooting. 

The second shooter has not been identified and anyone with information about him is asked to contact Bristol Township police at 215-785-4040 or the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office at 215-348-6354. The case was investigated by Sgt. Michael Slaughter of the Bristol Township Police Department and Bucks County Detective Tim Campbell. 

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Thomas C. Gannon. 

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