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Mark Laird, of Boothwyn, is accused of killing Reuben Rosado, whose body was found in Henry Johnson Park on Township Line Road and Veterans Drive in Trainer, on Tuesday, March 15, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said.
Officers who arrived at the scene on Wednesday, March 16 also discovered a fired cartridge casing and a cell phone.
A witness — who identified Laird from a photo array — allegedly told police that Laird told him he was “carrying a burden” and that he knew what had happened to the victim.
Laird then admitted to stashing a gun in the park, and that he told Rosado he could have the gun, the DA said. Once in the park, Laird told Rosado where to find the gun, and when he turned around, he shot him, authorities said.
Investigators who obtained Laird's phone number discovered that he had communicated with Rosado 34 times between Jan. 17 and March 8, the DA said.
A warranted search of Laird's cell phone data revealed that his phone was in the area of the crime scene at the time of Rosado's murder, authorities said. A warranted search of Rosado's cell phone data soon after confirmed his cell phone was at the crime scene.
Laird was arrested on Tuesday, April 19 on multiple juvenile bench warrants, authorities said. He apparently had a semi-automatic firearm on him, which he was prohibited from carrying due to multiple adjudications for offenses including robbery.
A second person who was with Laird at the time of his arrest told police that Laird admitted to shooting Rosado, the DA said. The witness also had a ghost gun, which he claimed was given to him by Laird.
"The defendant lured his victim to the park with the promise of a gun and, instead, shot him in the back of his head," Stollsteimer said. Unable to keep his actions secret, the defendant then admitted to others what he had done."
"The defendant’s actions were senseless, as well as heartbreaking."
Born and raised in Chester, Rosado was a "happy, loving kid" who "always liked to help others and always did it with a gentle and loving smile," his obituary says.
Laird has been charged with criminal homicide, murder of the first and third degree, and related firearms charges.
He was being held without bail at the George W. Hill Correctional facility. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 5.
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