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Teenager says he 'accidentally' killed Erie boy during gang dispute

Closing arguments begin in the trial of Abdullah O. Ismael (19). Ismael was 17 when he shot 7-year-old Antonio “Espn” Yarger Jr. in the head in 2022. Ismael was the only defense witness to testify.

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  • During his manslaughter trial in Erie County Common Pleas Court, Abdullah O. Ismael did not deny that he shot 7-year-old Antonio “Espn” Yarger Jr. as he stood on the sidewalk with friends.
  • Ismael argues that he shot someone he believed to be a rival and never intended to kill Antonio, so he is not guilty of premeditated murder under the prosecution's transfer of intent theory.
  • Defense seeks conviction of third-degree murder or manslaughter, prosecutors see evidence of intentional killing in case that highlights severity of youth gang violence in Erie

The 19-year-old on trial for the killing of 7-year-old Antonio “Espn” Yarger Jr. said he was not thinking of murder when he fired from an SUV in April 2022 while Antonio was walking with friends on the sidewalk of Downing Avenue in Erie.

The defendant, Abdullah O. Ismael, who was 17 at the time and is being tried as an adult, said he and his friends were targeting another person. He said he wanted to scare that person with gunfire but did not intend to kill him.

“I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt,” Ismael testified Thursday as his trial in Erie County Court neared its end. “Our intention was never for anyone to die.”

Next come the closing arguments in the murder trial

Ismael was the only defense witness to testify. Closing arguments are scheduled for Friday morning in Judge John J. Mead's courtroom.

Ismael took the stand after Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Lightner spent nearly three days presenting his case, which was largely uncontested by Ismael and his attorney, Eric Hackwelder.

Two co-defendants and others testified that Ismael killed Yarger while he was in a dispute with a neighborhood street gang known as Holly or Stack That Bread, whose name refers to making money. The gang's territory is near the corner of Downing Avenue and Fairmount Parkway, where Ismael shot Antonio in the head at 7:40 p.m. on April 14, 2022.

Witnesses also testified that Ismael was associated with a rival street gang called “5ive” or “the Five,” although Ismael said he had no involvement with the group.

Regardless of Ismael's gang affiliation, the statements, including his own, showed that he was angry at the members of Stack That Bread when he fired at Antonio and his friends. There were no members of Stack That Bread in the group, although Ismael said he believed one was.

Because his killing of Antonio was never in question, Ishmael made intent the centerpiece of his defense. Lightner argues that Ishmael is guilty of premeditated murder because he shot Antonio while intending to kill someone else—a legal concept known as transfer of intent.

Hackwelder and Ismael argue that there was no intent to rendition because Ismael never intended to kill anyone. They claim that Ismael is guilty of third-degree murder, premeditated murder, or manslaughter.

Defendant says he “accidentally” shot seven-year-old

Ismael testified that he killed Antonio “accidentally.” He tried to shoot at the ground to scare the group of youths, who he believed included a gang member. He said the driver of the Honda CR-V in which he was a passenger made “a freak turn,” causing him to shoot widely and hit Antonio.

“I lost control,” Ismael said. “I wasn't aiming there.”

Lightner presented evidence that Ismael intended to kill someone, even if the target was not Antonio. He showed jurors images from an Instagram video Ismael made days before the shooting.

Ismael is holding a Glock 34 9mm – the same gun that prosecutors say he used to kill Antonio and which was never found. Ismael makes hand gestures that disrespect the members of Stack That Bread.

Ismael testified that he smoked marijuana while filming the video. He said he was “playing a role.”

Lightner also highlighted Ismael's admission that he was involved in a previous shooting with a member of Stack That Bread. Prosecutors said that incident fueled Ismael's anger when he opened fire at Downing Avenue and Fairmount Parkway.

Ismael argued throughout the cross-examination with Lightner, who attributed Antonio's death to circumstances beyond his control, such as a sudden turn by his driver. Lightner repeatedly asked Ismael to answer his questions with a “yes” or “no.”

“Did you put a bullet in Antonio Yarger’s head?” Lightner said.

“Yes,” said Ishmael.

Youth gang violence at the centre of the trial

The killing of Antonio, known as “Espn” for his love of sports, traumatized Erie and prompted the city, the Erie School District and other organizations to step up efforts to curb youth gang violence that has been rampant during the pandemic as young people were excluded from school and learning remotely.

Ismael's trial laid bare the extent and severity of youth gang violence. Witness testimony showed that Ismael and his friends spent the days before the murder focusing on the feud with Stack That Bread and using social media to share their discontent.

The feud culminated in the killing of Antonio Yarger Jr., a 7-year-old who was walking with his friends on the evening of April 14, 2022.

“The worst day of my life,” Ismael said. “I will never forget it.”

Contact [email protected] or 814-870-1813. Follow him on X @ETNpalatella.

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