March 11, 2015-  Commonwealth v Rashawn Knox:  On March 11, 2015 a Dauphin County jury convicted Rashawn Knox, of Harrisburg City, of attempting to murder Jerrel Thompson and committing aggravated assault against Star Shopp during a heroin-related robbery on September 13, 2013. The defendant, who had sold heroin to Thompson on an almost daily basis for the months leading up to the shooting, met the victims at the corner of Crescent and Kittatiny Streets in Harrisburg City around 4:30 in the afternoon to sell 10 bundles of heroin for approximately $900. Thompson and victim Star Shopp, along with two other individuals, drove to the area in Shopp’s van.

The defendant led the victim from the van to the corner where another unknown male was present. Without warning the defendant and the unknown male pulled handguns and pointed them at Thompson. The defendant then chased Thompson back to the vehicle. During the pursuit Thompson threw the $900, and the defendant stopped briefly to pick up the cash. He then continued to chase Thompson to the van and shot him in the back while he was attempting to enter the van from the driver’s side. The defendant shot at least twice into the vehicle, and also struck Shopp in her leg during the shooting. Knox then pointed the firearm into the windshield of the vehicle, at which point Shopp drove away from the area with the other two individuals in the van. Shopp stopped about a block later and allowed Thompson to catch up with the van, and then drove the two to Harrisburg Hospital.

After a two-day trial, the jury found the defendant guilty of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder for shooting Jerrel Thompson, Aggravated Assault for shooting both Thompson and Star Shopp, Robbery, and Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. The defendant was also convicted of Carrying a Firearm Without a License and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Not to Possess.  This case was prosecuted for the Commonwealth by Deputy District Attorney Chris Jason. 

The defendant is scheduled for sentencing before the Honorable Judge Deborah E. Curcillo on May 12, 2015.