Lydia Glenn

News Editor

lmg5921@psu.edu

Antonio “Espn” Yarger Jr., a young Erie child has passed. 

Yarger was a 7-year-old child who lived in east Erie and was unfortunately shot while he was walking around near his home last Thursday.

According to the Erie Police Department, Yarger was shot in the head. He was flown to the Children’s hospital in Pittsburgh on Monday and unfortunately passed away there. 

According to Deputy Chief Mike Nolan, six to eight other kids were walking with Yarger near Downing and Prospect Avenues around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. At this time, someone fired three shots, hitting the young boy. He was the only one in the group that was hit by gunfire. 

Chief Nolan told Erie News Now that the other children at the scene and their parents are cooperating with the investigation and those interviews are still ongoing. 

No one from law enforcement has stated whether or not this was a drive-by-shooting incident, but that is one theory police are currently looking into. 

Nolan said that the police are making progress in the investigation although the weapon has not yet been recovered. 

Police declined to say what type of gun was used in the incident. 

Right now, police are reviewing surveillance video captured in the neighborhood as well as evidence collected at the scene like shell casings. 

Police say that they are currently searching for a suspect.

If you would like to support the family of Yarger, a GoFundMe has been set up.

Unfortunately, this shooting happened just days after a teen shot another inside Erie High during the school day. 

“This gun violence can’t become the new normal in Erie,” stated Nolan.

As this is an ongoing investigation, there will be more news to come. Please follow Erie News Now for any updates regarding this case.