Brandi Whisman, 42, of New Providence, was arraigned Tuesday, Nov. 14, on charges of endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors. Investigators said she gave her sons permission to take the guns whenever they wanted, providing a key and telling them where the firearms were located.
Her sons, Joshua Whisman, 16, and Alexander Whisman, 18, are accused of firing the guns during a shootout in the 300 block of East New Street in Lancaster on Sept. 16 at 9 p.m. Police said the brothers admitted to firing at least two handguns toward two other males on the street.
Detectives recovered the weapons at the scene and said witness statements and interviews confirmed the brothers were the shooters.
Brandi’s bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.
Joshua, charged as a minor charged as an adult, faces aggravated assault, conspiracy, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a firearm by a minor, and discharging a firearm within city limits. His case was ordered to proceed to county court following a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
Alex, who waived his hearing on the same charges, is also facing a separate homicide charge for allegedly killing his cousin, 25-year-old Matty Whisman, police said. Matty was found dead earlier this year in Maryland, and investigators tied Alexander to the killing after a months-long probe, as Daily Voice previously reported. Alex is accused of committing the crime because he disapproved of Matty working with the policy as a witness to another shooting during a house party in Maryland.
Assistant District Attorney Janie Swinehart is prosecuting the cases, with Detective Jared Snader of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police filing the charges.
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