Man, 19, charged in shooting that killed 11-year-old boy

Khaleek Cooper-Baldwin
Khaleek Cooper-Baldwin
PPD

A Northeast Philadelphia man was charged Thursday with murder in connection with a shooting that left an 11-year-old boy dead and a 14-year-old boy injured last week in Oxford Circle.

Khaleek Cooper-Baldwin, 19, was taken into custody Wednesday after authorities issued a warrant for his arrest in the case, police said.

Investigators believe he fired the shots that killed Harley Belance, 11, and his friend, who, at the time of the gunfire, were riding motorized scooters at around 6:30 p.m. Friday on the 1500 block of McKinley Street.

Harley sustained a gunshot wound to the neck. Officers rushed him to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, where he died a short time later.

The 14-year-old boy is expected to physically recover, police have said.

Cooper-Baldwin was charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, carrying an unlicensed gun and other firearm violations. His legal counsel could immediately be identified.

He is being held without bail, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 19, according to court records.