A brand new father was killed by a racist for defending a black man.
WITF.com reports that Chad Merrill died from gunshot wounds on Saturday morning after defending a black man targeted by a racist James Saylor in a local bar.
Police identified the alleged shooter as James Saylor, a 24-year-old Lower Windsor Township resident. Saylor is charged with one count of criminal homicide.
That homicide occurred about 1 a.m. in the parking lot of Red Rose Restaurant & Lounge after the owners told Saylor to leave.
The affidavit states Saylor was arguing with Douglas, a friend of Merrill’s. Saylor was removed by Red Rose owner Nick Spagnolo after Saylor used racial slurs toward Douglas.
Surveillance video from the bar showed Saylor being removed, then walking toward his vehicle, a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, in the parking lot. He then discharged a round from his gun toward the building, the affidavit states.
More surveillance video showed Merrill walking into the parking lot and toward Saylor’s vehicle, then falling to the ground. Witness accounts suggest Merrill may have been trying to do some peacekeeping.
Jessica Godden, the mother of Merrill’s 5-month-old son, confirmed that Merrill and Saylor both attended Eastern York High School.
When police arrived after being dispatched at 1:02 a.m., Merrill was on the ground bleeding from a suspected gunshot wound to the chest.
After the alleged gunshot, Saylor attempted to leave the area in his pickup but collided with a black Mazda sedan before fleeing west.
Saylor was arraigned Saturday night in York. Speaking to WITF, Merrill’s family says they are devastated by his death but not surprised he was attempting to create peace.