Prosecutors dropped charges against the younger brother of a teenage Sixers fan accused of shooting at opposing fans after an argument on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line last month.
Eric Early, 17, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy and related charges for his alleged role in the shooting that happened after the Sixers loss to the Bulls on Dec. 12. Those charges were dropped Thursday morning.
Early's brother, 18-year-old Matthew Early, is accused of firing a single shot into the subway car after getting off the train along with his brother at the 46th Street Stop. A Bulls fan and another man were hit by the bullet -- both survived the incident.
The whole incident -- including the shooting -- was caught on surveillance video. (WARNING: The video could be considered graphic.)
In the mutli-angle video you see two teens -- one in a blue hooded vest and one in a gray hoodie -- standing by the door of the subway car. Police say they were arguing with some other men, at least one of whom was wearing Chicago Bulls gear.
As the train pulls up to the station at 46th and Market Streets at 10:38 p.m. you see the two teens turn away from the Bulls fan as the Bulls fan stands behind them. The train then stops, the doors open and suddenly one of the young men turns around, pulls out a small semi-automatic handgun and shoots back into the train knocking a Bulls fan backwards.
"It's bizarre. This is behavior that is just over the top," Lt. John Walker told NBC10 after the shooting. "It's intolerable. I mean, people have to realize this reckless behavior cannot continue."
Matthew Early remains in jail on $2.5 million bail awaiting a preliminary hearing on Jan. 17 on charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault and related counts, according to court records.
