A Lancaster city man was convicted by jury Wednesday of attempted murder and related charges stemming from a shooting in the 100 block of Hershey Ave. at 8:41 a.m. on November 4, 2021.

Daijour L. Stennett, 32 of the 700 block of W Vine St, was found guilty of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and carrying a firearm without a license after a three-day trial before Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright.

The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before finding Stennett guilty of shooting at a victim six times, striking him four times – once in the left shoulder, once on the left side, once in the right shoulder and once behind the head. Several shots were aimed at the victims back.

The victim suffered a fractured skull, spine, a broken shoulder blade, and bleeding in his chest due to the shooting. The victim testified he continues to suffer lingering injuries such as weakness and arthritis in his left shoulder and arm, seizures that he needs to take medications to treat, and PTSD.

Assistant District Attorney Chris Miller prosecuted the case and presented a recording of the shooting that was recovered from Stennett’s phone that provided audio and video. 

The victim was shot multiple times after lying face down on the ground due to the previous gunshot wounds. The final and sixth shot could be heard fired about four seconds after the first five, which were all rapidly fired in an approximate three-second span.

ADA Miller also presented the victim’s sweatshirt that was worn during the shooting. Miller held a rod through the bullet holes in the hood showing the trajectory of the bullet that struck the victim’s head and a bullet that went through the hood but narrowly missed striking the victim’s head a second time.

The .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun used in the shooting was also presented as evidence at trial.

Evidence and testimony showed that Stennett and the victim were known to each other and had previous confrontations dating back to 2017.

“I told you the defendant wanted [the victim’s] life for years,” Miller said to the jury during his closing argument. “He kept trying and trying and failed. So last November, he tried to take his life.”

The defense argued the shooting was self-defense.

“It’s not enough for self-defense to be really frustrated or annoyed with somebody,” Miller responded.

On November 4, 2021, East Hempfield Township Police Officer Torres reported shots fired in the 100 block of Hershey Ave. at approximately 8:41 a.m. The Officer was on the way to take a dog to the SPCA when he heard two popping sounds and observed a male with a gun, who entered a black 2008 Mercedes Benz.

Manheim Township Police Officer Long responded to the scene and tended to the victim laying on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Lancaster City Bureau of Police Detective Ryan Burgett filed charges, testified, and attended the entirety of trial.

Judge Wright will order sentence at a later date.

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