6 Sentenced To Prison In Killing Of Young Football Star In Chester Co.: DA

WEST CHESTER, PA — Six men have been sentenced to prison after accidentally shooting one of their friends who was part of a group attempting to assassinate a rival in Chester County, officials said.

Victor Lara-Ortiz, 22, and Zaire Harley, 23, have been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first degree murder.

Markel Jones, 23, Richard Rochester-Cottle, 24, Quadir Lavender, 24, and Gary White, 22, have also received varying sentences of 5 to 20 years for third degree murder, manslaughter, conspiracy, and similar counts.

The victim 20-year-old Dametirus McClain-Jackson of Coatesville, a former football standout at Coatesville Area Senior High.

McClain-Jackson had joined the others in an attempt to kill a man in retaliation for an Instagram post of another shooting involving a rival group.

"Every person who participated in this violent attack bears the responsibility of the death of McClain-Jackson," Chester County district attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said in a statement.

The incident occurred in Aug. 2023.

Police said McClain-Jackson and the six suspects drove around Coatesville in a stolen vehicle searching for their target.

Ultimately, the group arrived in the area of Community Lane, and McClain-Jackson, Rochester-Cottle, White, and Lara-Ortiz exited the vehicle with firearms and approached a property in the 400 block of Community Lane.

The group saw their rivals and began to shoot. White left the scene on foot, while McClain-Jackson, Rochester-Cottle, and Lara-Ortiz returned to the stolen vehicle. During the melee, McClain-Jackson was shot.

McClain-Jackson was a member of the Lycoming College football team and a volunteer at the Coatesville YWCA. He enjoyed going to the beach in Maryland and working out, according to his obituary.