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Detectives responded to a report of a gunshot victim at Crozier Chester Medical Center on December 30, 2020, where they met a man who had sustained a gunshot wound to the back of the neck, according to the City of Chester Police Department.
The man was able to identify the shooter as Wanyaa Powell, police said.
The man told detectives that after being shot, Powell told him to turn around, and said “I gotta kill you bro because I don’t want to go to jail," police said.
Powell then reportedly took the man's Xbox, cell phone, and car keys and fled the scene, police said.
Through further investigation, detectives were able to confirm that Powell had outstanding warrants for his arrest, one out of the City of Chester for drug violations, and a second warrant out of Salem County, NJ, for robbery, police said.
A search warrant was executed on Powell's home, and personal belongings were recovered by detectives, police said.
“Detective Thomas of the City of Chester Police Department is to be commended for his work in bringing this perpetrator to justice," Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said.
"The defendant had not one, but two, outstanding warrants for his arrest. Getting this defendant off our streets is a positive step for the community, and it is a credit to the investigative skill of Detective Thomas that he was able to make this arrest.”
Powell was arraigned by District Justice Vincent D. Gallagher, and his bail was set at 10% of $750,000.
Powell was committed to George W. Hill Correctional Facility where he will await a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 24.
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