Deonte “Taz” Kelly, 23, of Philadelphia.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of 23-year-old Deonte “Taz” Kelly, of Philadelphia, in connection with last week’s fatal shooting in Pottstown Borough.
Kelly has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, third-degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy, in connection with the shooting deaths of 17-year-old Skyler Fox and 18-year-old Brandon Bacote-Byer that occurred during the late-evening of Oct. 17. Kelly is the second arrest warrant to be issued following the shooting, with 17-year-old Dominic Carboni being arrested on the same charges on Oct. 20.
In addition to the charges stemming from the shooting, Kelly is wanted on eight other additional warrants as well as a Montgomery County bench warrant. Other charges include aggravated assault person not to possess a firearm, simple assault, robbery, strangulation, terroristic threats, and other offenses across multiple municipalities in Montgomery County.
Kelly is described as a Black male with black hair and brown eyes standing 6-feet tall and weighing 180 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous, and anyone who sees him is asked to immediately dial 911.
County dispatch received multiple 911 calls at 11:33 p.m. on Oct. 17 regarding shots fired in the area of Fourth and Johnson streets in Pottstown. Arriving police located the bodies of Fox and Bacote-Byer lying outside of a vehicle belonging to Fox.
Investigators said they recovered 10 shell casings, one projectile and a 9mm handgun with the serial number obliterated at the scene. A release from the district attorney’s office stated that a witness observed Fox with a backpack on his shoulder as he crawled away from his vehicle, but minutes later the backpack was missing, and Fox was no longer moving.
No backpack was recovered at the scene, according to the district attorney’s office.
Investigators said they recovered text data indicating that Fox and Carboni had arranged to meet to purchase marijuana, and cell phone data showed both Fox’s and Carboni’s cellphones were in the area at the time the shooting occurred. Less than 20 minutes after the shooting, Carboni allegedly deleted his message history with Fox.
Video surveillance recovered by police showed a maroon-colored Ford pickup truck fleeing the area of the shooting. Investigators said the vehicle matched a truck belonging to Carboni’s father, and Carboni was seen driving the truck earlier in the evening.
Investigators said Carboni picked up Kelly in the maroon pickup truck and the two drove together to the meetup with Fox.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Pottstown Police Department at 610-970-6570 or call Montgomery County Detectives at 610-226-5553. Anonymous text tips can be submitted using MontcoCrimeTips on the STOPit! app.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause. This story was updated to reflect the child's current custody status.
See also:
Montco Teen Charged with Murder in Connection with Monday Night’s Fatal Shooting in Pottstown
Officials Identify Teens Killed in Double Homicide Monday Night in Montco
Two Teens Killed in Double Homicide in Montco Monday Night
WATCH: DA Offers $5,000 for Info Leading to ID and Arrest of Montco Shooting Suspect
Montco Man Arrested on Dozens of Child Porn Charges
