A Lancaster city man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 3 ½ to 7 years in prison Jan. 31 for shooting a 15-year-old in the 400 block of S. Queen Street on April 26, 2022.

Jeffrey Moreau, now 18 of the 300 block of S. Prince Street, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and related charges before being sentenced by Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn.

Moreau also pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm by a minor, recklessly endangering another person (two counts), and tampering with evidence.

The Lancaster City Bureau of Police was dispatched to the 400 block of S. Queen Street in regard to a shooting victim at approximately 4:08 p.m. The victim had a single gunshot wound to his buttocks and reported that a group of people chased him after an argument before someone he didn’t know shot him.

Investigators learned on scene the shooter’s name was Jeffrey and used social media accounts for the defendant to match numerous clothing items to those worn by the shooter.

Lancaster Safety Coalition cameras captured the victim and his group walking toward the defendant and his group, the victim’s group quickly leaving the area, and the defendant running around a corner with a silver handgun chasing the victim.

Moreau fired one shot at the victim’s back when the defendant was standing in the middle of E. Andrew Street. The defendant disengaged his pursuit of the victim, then ran toward the victim again and fired at least one additional shot. There was an unknown pedestrian and numerous vehicles in close proximity.

The defendant was then seen running away from the scene and discarding the gun in a metal grate in the 400 block of E. Strawberry Street. Police recovered the firearm, which had been reported as stolen.

Additional witnesses confirmed the identity of Moreau with one stating they believed the defendant fired four shots at the victim.

Assistant District Attorney Janie Swinehart prosecuted the case.

Lancaster City Police Detective Jared Snader filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.