YORK, Pa. — Prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty in the case of a man charged in a shooting death inside a York County movie theater last year.
Twenty-one-year-old Anu-Malik Johnson is charged with first- and third-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangering and related offenses in the Dec. 2 shooting of 22-year-old Andre White Jr. at Regal Cinemas 13 in West Manchester Township.
York County prosecutors said in court documents that capital punishment would be warranted if Johnson is convicted of first-degree murder because they allege he knowingly created a grave risk of death to another person by his actions. Johnson was formally arraigned on the murder charges in York County Court on Friday.
Defense attorney Jon White told the Associated Press that he and his client were disappointed and were planning to challenge the state’s ability to seek capital punishment.
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Another man, 19-year-old Jalen Bellaflores is charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and evidence-tampering. He was originally charged with homicide but prosecutors later withdrew the charge, saying it wasn’t supported by the police investigation.
Witnesses have said White had briefly spoken with the defendants as he headed to his seat. Authorities allege that White and Bellaflores moved to different seats, and Bellaflores later headed toward the exit while Johnson approached the seated victim and shot him. Police say a female bystander was shot in the face as the gunmen fled.
Police Chief John Snyder has said Johnson and White knew each other and there there was “some animosity” between them.
