Date of Incident

Date of Incident: 11 November 2007
Time of Incident: Attempted Homicide

On 11-10-07, at approx. 3:00 PM, a shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Spring Forge Plaza Shopping Center, 400 Blk. N. Main St. Spring Grove Borough.

Just prior to the shooting, both victims ((1)W/F, Wendy Turner, 28 years of age, York City resident and (2) a 17 year old black male resident of York City) left a business at the Plaza. As they entered their vehicle in the parking lot, a black male suspect (no further description) appeared from the back seat of the vehicle and pointed a handgun at the victims. The female was struck by the suspect and fled the vehicle, running through the parking lot. She sustained minor head injuries from the assault.

At this time, several gunshots were heard and the black male victim was shot several times. He was found in the parking lot by their vehicle by nearby patrons of the businesses. The suspect fled in an awaiting vehicle. A “vehicle of interest” as possibly being involved in the shooting is a light gray or light silver, or off-white, colored mini-van.

The female victim was treated at the scene for her injuries and was released. The male victim was transported to York Hospital and as of the time of this release, was in surgery for his injuries and is in very serious condition.

No other information is available on this case. We are hoping that information on this case is provided to our department by the public. They are asked to call Sgt. Lisa Layden of the Southwestern Regional Police at 717-225-1333 ext. 115.

UPDATE #2____________________________________________

Information now suggests that the two victims were followed and targeted in this incident and the crime was not a random act.

Nearby surveillance film indicates that the suspect vehicle was a Chrysler product mini-van, thereby either a Chrysler, Dodge or Plymouth brand. As listed earlier, the suspect was a black male in the shooting incident. Two black subjects were seen by witnesses in the suspect vehicle leaving the area.

Due to the fact that the incident occurred at a very busy time of the afternoon in a shopping center, we are hoping this information will allow a witness to recall additional information. The male victim of the gunshot wound is still in serious condition as of the time of this release.

Information may be forwarded to Sgt. Lisa Layden, Southwestern Regional Police, 717-225-1333 x115.

UPDATE #3 _____________________________________________________

On 11-12-07, at approx. 10:00 PM, information was obtained from various sources that the suspect vehicle involved in the shooting at the Spring Forge Plaza was parked to the rear of an address in York City.

This information was possible due to the efforts of several agencies to include the York City Police Department, York County Drug Task Force, York County District Attorney Detectives, and officers from our department.

We have taken into our custody, for processing, a silver, 2000, Plymouth Grand Voyager. This vehicle matches exactly the description of the suspect vehicle that was provided to the public on 11-11-07. The vehicle is registered locally and we have spoken to the registered owner.

No charges have been filed in this case as of this time. The agencies involved are processing a large amount of information in this case and will continue to do so until a resolution is determined. No other information is able to be provided at this time and will be released as soon as is possible as not to hinder the investigation.

UPDATE #4 _____________________________________________________

The male victim of the gunshot wound is still in serious condition as of the time of this release.Information may be forwarded to Sgt. Lisa Layden, Southwestern Regional Police, 717-225-1333 x115.

UPDATE #5_____________________________________________________

As result of multiple law enforcement agency efforts, charges have been filed against three (3) subjects in this case that are responsible for this shooting incident. Two of the three subjects were taken in custody as of 6:00 am on today’s date, 12-04-07. Jason Preston in Lancaster City, Wesley Preston in York City. One remains at large and is being sought by this agency for the crime.

The defendant information is as follows; (We are unable to release the third suspects information at this time). Charges are identical:

Defendants:

B/M, Wesley Eugene Preston 48 YOA, 244 E. Poplar St., York (Bail - $250,000)
B/M, Jason L. Preston 20 YOA, 244 E. Poplar St., York (Bail - $100,000); son of Wesley.

PACC 903(a)(1) Criminal Conspiracy to Commit
(PACC 2502(a)-Murder) F-1
PACC 901(a) Criminal Attempt to Commit (PACC 2502(a)-Murder) F-1
PACC 2702(a)(1) Aggravated Assault F-1 - (2 Counts)
PACC 2705 Recklessly Endangering Another Person M-2 - (2Counts)
PACC 2701(a)(1)Simple Assault M-2

Booking Photos are available through the York County Sheriffs Office.

The only information that our agency can release at this time is the probable cause affidavit that was filed with the York County District Attorneys Office. That information is as follows:

On November 10, 2007 at approx. 15:11 hours, Southwestern Regional Police Department responded to Kennie's Market, 440 North Main Street, Spring Grove Borough, for a report of shots being fired. Officers found one victim was shot multiple times, and a second victim(Wendy (Turner) Oliver)had been pistol whipped, and had left the area for medical attention. Both victims were injured in a green mini-van owned by Theresa Redding. Oliver returned to the scene and spoke with police, advising a black male was already in their van as they returned from shopping. Suspect put his right arm around B/M victim’s neck, and had a gun in his left hand. The suspect said "Gimmee ???". Oliver attempted to escape and the suspect grabbed at her and hit her in the head with the gun. As she was running from the vehicle she heard shots fired inside the vehicle.

Through video surveillance and interviews a suspect vehicle, a silver mini-van was developed as the vehicle the shooter had left the scene in. Investigators developed a suspect vehicle (Plymouth Grand Voyager PA FTE2436) that belonged to Wesley Preston Sr., 244 East Poplar Street, York PA.

A search warrant was served on Preston's home address and vehicle November 12, 2007. The above vehicle and various other items were seized during the search. Through recorded phone calls from the York County Prison it was learned that Preston's other vehicle had been broken into on November 9, 2007. The victims in the shooting and the van owner were discovered to be the persons responsible for breaking into Preston's truck. The stolen items from that theft were found in Theresa Redding's possession.

A search was conducted of both the Preston van and the Redding van (Green Chrysler PA GSA1440). A blood sample was taken from the Preston van off the middle row seat in said van. Multiple samples of blood were taken from the Redding van and all blood was sent for analysis at Nation Medical Service along with a sample of B/M victim’s blood.

Through interviews Wesley's son, Jason reported that he, Wesley, and another son Justin Preston, were in the van on 11/10/07, during the time frame that this incident occurred.

Wesley Preston has given a prior statement that he and Jason were at the Poplar Street residence during that time.

On November 27, 2007 this officer received a report from National Medical Center forensic biologist indicating that the sample removed from Wesley Preston's van is the 17 year-old victim’s blood.

To date, multiple agencies have been responsible for the successful investigation of this case; to include York County District Attorneys Office, York County Detectives, York City Police Department, York County Drug task Force, York County Quick Response Team, York County Forensics Team, PA State Police – Lancaster, York County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Manheim Twp. Police Department.