It happened on Saturday at about 18:45 at Our Town Alley, formerly Facenda Whitaker Lanes, in the 2900 block of Sweden Road.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said the suspect, 17-year-old Jamel Barnwell, is wanted in the murder. He is considered armed and dangerous.
According to authorities, Barnwell walked into the bowling alley with two other men and an argument ensued with the victim, 29-year-old Frank Wade from West Philadelphia.
Barnwell is accused of firing 15 shots inside the bowling alley and killing Wade, who was shot dead while on the ground.
Authorities say Barnell and the men he was with fled the bowling alley after the shooting. They left behind three cellphones, one of which belonged to Barnwell.
“We are looking for all three men involved and are asking for the public’s help in locating the shooter, Barnwell. If you see him, do not approach him, as he is considered armed and dangerous after the gun he previously fled from the bowling alley killed Frank Wade, ”Steele said.
Four other family members of Wade were also injured in the shooting. They were identified as a 31-year-old man, a 21-year-old man, a 19-year-old man and a 26-year-old man. All four victims are listed in a hospital in a stable condition.
Wade’s wife said he was a loving husband and father of two who wanted to become a chef.
“He was a good man. Frank had a lot of hopes and dreams. He was never a violent person. He was never on the street. He wanted better,” Syreta Stanford said.
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Steele says there were about 50 to 75 people, including young children, who were in the bowling alley when the gunfire erupted. Some people found shelter in a nearby mechanical closet.
“You start to hear, ‘Pop pop pop pop pop.’ You hear them go down and everyone starts to panic and run backwards, ‘says Harry Delmar, who was at the bowling alley with his family, including his 2-year-old niece and 9-year-old nephew.
“Making sure they get out safely. My first priority was the kids. I did not care for myself. I did not know how close the person was, where he was, or he would go right into the lane,” says Megan Jantzi, fiancée of Delmar.
The Jantzi family returned Sunday for their car. They left everything inside and a stranger took them home.
“A stranger, it was so nice. But I finally talked to him and I will send him a letter of thanks today,” Jantzi’s mother, Jeanne, said.
Barnwell is facing murder charges. He is described as 6 ‘1 “and weighs about 150 pounds.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the Montgomery County Detective Bureau’s Detective Bureau at 610-278-DOIT (3648). Or submit an anonymous text tip using Montco Crime Tips on the STOPit! app.
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