LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A Columbia man was convicted of third-degree murder and related charges for shooting and killing 25-year-old Jatavis Scott in Manheim Township in March 2022.
Tyler Wilson, 29, was found guilty by a jury of third-degree murder, persons not to possess a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license and eight counts of recklessly endangering another person.
Wilson shot and killed Scott in the parking lot of the former Club Twenty3 following a barfight that continued outside on March 29, 2022.
Assistant District Attorneys Mark Fetterman and Jessica Collo prosecuted the case and presented evidence and testimony from witnesses present at the club the night of the shooting, video collected from witnesses’ phones and surveillance footage from the club, and Manheim Township Police investigators.
According to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office, the evidence showed a verbal argument began between Scott and Wilson inside the club in the 1700 block of New Holland Pike and eventually escalated into a physical altercation.
Security at the club successfully moved the parties outside of the establishment. The groups were separated for a moment before reconvening and Wilson and Scott began to physically fight.
The two were separated again before starting to move back toward each other when video evidence showed a flash of light coming from the end of Wilson’s arm consistent with a muzzle flash from a firearm.
Further testimony and evidence revealed two shots were fired and Wilson was within feet of the victim at the time of the shots, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.
“Defense counsel said the video evidence of the shots fired and flash of light was insufficient, but those two shots and a flash of light were enough to end a human being’s life. At the end of that gun was this man’s hand,” Collo said while pointing at the defendant.
"That flick of light was a muzzle flash from Tyler Wilson’s hand that sent grown men running, terrified and ended a man’s life. He was the only one not shocked by a resounding pop from a firearm because he’s the one that pulled the trigger.”
Wilson, who testified, and his defense counsel argued he wasn’t the shooter.
Scott was pronounced dead after being driven to a local hospital. The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office later ruled his death a gunshot wound to the chest and manner as homicide.
The jury returned its verdict after deliberating for approximately three hours.
Wilson was remanded to Lancaster County Prison without bail to await his sentencing.
