A fugitive from Norristown facing murder charges was apprehended by U.S. Marshals Thursday morning.
According to a release from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, 19-year-old Damien Wilson was apprehended at a residence on North Cecil Street in Philadelphia without incident. Wilson is facing charges stemming from the October 2022 shooting death of 47-year-old Anthony Vitelli in Norristown — a shooting in which investigators said Vitelli was not the intended target and was instead an innocent bystander.
Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Arch Street at 2:02 p.m. on Oct. 7, 2022, for a report of a shooting. Arriving officers located Vitelli, also of Norristown, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was subsequently transported to Paoli Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. that same day.
Investigators said they recovered eight 9mm shell casings and a deformed projectile from the scene.
Surveillance footage from the area around the shooting showed Vitelli walking with another male in the parking lot of Jefferson Court Apartments as a separate group of three people are standing at the corner of the parking lot near the rear sidewalk area of the apartment complex, investigators said. As Vitelli approached the rear sidewalk, a Black male wearing a black hoodie, black facemask, black pants, white gloves, and pink socks emerged from the rear sidewalk and began firing at the group on the corner, however he struck Vitelli in the chest instead, according to investigators.
The shooter — later identified as Wilson — then fled on foot towards Arch Street, police said.
Homicide investigators said through interviews, text and cellphone records, and surveillance, they determined the intended target of the shooting was a local male. Upon being questioned about the incident, the male said he and Wilson had an issue related to a July shooting in Norristown in which Wilson was shot in the leg — an incident police confirmed occurred on July 27, 2022, however they did not reveal what role, if any, the targeted male played in the shooting.
Other witnesses provided additional information allegedly linking Wilson to the shooting, including audio and video calls between Deonte Kelly — who was recently arrested in connection with a double homicide in Pottstown — and Wilson, who is his cousin.
A $5,000 reward was later offered for information leading to Wilson’s arrest.
“The evidence indicates this was an attempted retaliatory killing that instead killed an innocent man. We are working to interrupt this cycle of violence in Norristown and elsewhere in Montgomery County to make our communities safe from these senseless killings by young men with guns,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. “I also want to commend the U.S. Marshals, who worked diligently to find this murderer and safely get him off the streets.”
Wilson has been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, person not to possess a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, possessing an instrument of crime, and reckless endangerment, in connection with the shooting.
He is currently awaiting arraignment and will be ineligible for bail due to the first-degree murder charge.
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:
Suspect in Fatal Montco Shooting Identified, $5,000 Reward Issued of Info Leading to Arrest
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
Montco Man Charged with Homicide by Vehicle While DUI After Victim Dies Years After Turnpike Crash
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