A Morrisville man convicted of shooting another man during a dispute was sentenced today to 17 1/2 to 40 years in state prison for the attempted murder.

Kevin Donte Watts, 43, was convicted in May, following a three-day trial. In addition to attempted murder, the jury also found Watts guilty of two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, carrying a firearm without a license, weapons possession, receiving stolen property, and harassment.

Common Pleas Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. sent Watts to state prison, and also ordered a consecutive sentence of 10 years of probation. The victim was present in court as the sentence was handed down. 

An investigation by the Bucks County Detectives and the Morrisville Borough Police Department established that on the morning of October 11, 2025, Watts was a passenger in a vehicle parked at the Orchard View Apartments. After an altercation with a rear-seat passenger, both men exited the vehicle, and Watts shot the victim in the chest with a .40-caliber pistol equipped with a green laser sight and loaded with hollow-point bullets.

The firearm used in the shooting was determined to be stolen. Following the attack, Watts fled the scene, while the victim was transported to a hospital in Trenton, New Jersey, for treatment of serious injuries.

Following the verdict in May 2026, District Attorney Joe Khan said, “This verdict ensures that Mr. Watts is held fully accountable for a cold-blooded act of violence that nearly cost a man his life.” District Attorney Khan also commended the diligent, expert work of the Bucks County Detectives and the Morrisville Borough Police Department, and Deputy DA Chad Kovack. Their investigation, he said, “made this conviction possible.”

In May, Morrisville Borough Police Chief Rich Ciampa added that his department extended its sincere appreciation to the Bucks County Detectives, the District Attorney’s Office, and all officers involved. He noted that the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated throughout the investigation were instrumental in securing a conviction and ensuring accountability for a violent act within the community, while emphasizing continued pride in the partnership between local and county law enforcement agencies.

The case was investigated by Bucks County Detectives Eric Landamia and Jason Callahan alongside the Morrisville Police Department and was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Chad Kovack.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org