Teen Charged in Shooting Death of Norristown Woman

A teenager from Norristown has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of 23-year-old Diamond Rahatt at her home over the weekend.

Victor Bell, 16, of Norristown, has been charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and illegal possession of a weapon in connection with the investigation.

Norristown Police were dispatched to the 1400 block of Markley Street at 1:39 p.m. on Jan. 3 for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, police found Rahatt in the bedroom of her residence suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head. Rahatt was transported from the scene to Paoli Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

An autopsy performed on Monday determined Rahatt had died from a single gunshot wound to the head, and her manner of death was listed as a homicide.

According to a release from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, investigators located a .40 caliber firearm next to Rahatt’s body, and a bullet strike was located on a bedroom wall that was consistent with Rahatt being seated at the time the bullet was discharged.

The firearm was legally owned by Rahatt, police said.

Investigators said Bell, who was a longtime friend of Rahatt’s, posted a video to social media of himself playing around with the victim’s firearm just before the shooting, and he fled the seen immediately following the shooting.

“Diamond Rahatt had her whole life ahead of her—a life cut short by the reckless handling of a gun. The death of this young woman is a tragedy, and our hearts and prayers go out to her family,” said DA Steele. “The defendant was playing around and taking photos with a loaded gun without any regard for the danger and threat to human life the behavior posed. It was reckless and now a young woman is dead.”  

Bell was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon and arraigned on the charges. Magisterial District Judge Juanita A. Price declined bail and remanded the accused to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Bell’s next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge Gregory Scott.

(All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.)

See also:

Hatfield Man Accused Of Rape, Repeated Sexual Abuse Of Young Girl, Police Say

Warminster Man Charged With Homicide In Death Of Teen At Nockamixon State Park

Woman Arrested After Social Media Argument Leads To Confrontation With Firearm, Police Say

Planes Diverted After Lansdale Man Steals Snow Plow And Drives Through Airport, Police Say

Montco Man Possessed 600 Images Of Child Porn, Including Infants And Drugged Children: DA