Tom Niarhos: Pennsylvania homeless advocate devastated after teen son charged for fatally shooting itinerant accused of his GF's rape

POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA: Thomas James Niarhos, a native of Stowe, was charged with first-degree murder following the death of 39-year-old Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

A 15-year-old Pennsylvania boy shot the itinerant accused of raping his 16-year-old girlfriend, leaving his father, a homeless advocate, “devastated".

Police arrived in Pottstown shortly after midday to find Hawkins, a vagrant, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Kevin R Steele, the District Attorney for Montgomery County, claims that Niarhos was being held by witnesses when the incident occurred and was subsequently taken into custody by police.

Officers seized a .40 calibre Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun from the scene, which detectives later discovered to be the firearm that was owned by his father, who has the same name as him, Tom Niarhos.

What did Niarhos Sr say about the incident that took place on Wednesday?

The 15-year-old’s father expressed his shock and distress over the incident to Daily Mail, saying, “The only comment I have is that it was tragedy and my prayers go out to (Hawkins') family.”

Tom Niarhos, a homeless advocate, confirmed that Hawkins was not immediately known to the organization he works for. The organization is called ‘Pottstown Beacon of Hope’.

‘Pottstown Beacon of Hope’ is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter to those experiencing homelessness in the area, as well as a warming center for those living on the streets.

Niarhos has been the charity's executive director for the last three years, having previously experienced homelessness. 

On Wednesday, the father of the assailant informed detectives that he had received a phone call from a friend who was crying and urged him to contact the police department.

The detectives then presented him with a picture of a recovered firearm, which he recognized as one of his guns that had gone missing from his house.

Niarhos Sr told the officers that he had been keeping the gun in his master bedroom's locked nightstand recently.

He also informed the police that he had discovered a note in his son's bedroom that same day which detailed a plan to run away, along with a bag of packed clothes.

What did authorities say?

According to investigators, the shooting may have been motivated by an alleged sexual assault on Niarhos' girlfriend four months prior.

Based on previous police records, Niarhos informed authorities in July that Hawkins had allegedly raped his 16-year-old girlfriend. The girl's identity has not been revealed.

Pottstown Police investigated the allegations at the time but received no cooperation from the girl's family, and her mother told officers that her family did not want to press charges.

Based on witness interviews and surveillance footage reviewed by law enforcement, it appears that Niarhos deliberately sought out Hawkins, engaging in a heated argument while standing nearby.

Witnesses reportedly observed Niarhos extending his arm toward Hawkins, who responded by swinging a tire at him.

Despite Hawkins' failed attempt to fend off Niarhos, the latter allegedly fired a single shot at Hawkins' face, causing him to collapse.

Niarhos then proceeded to fire another shot at Hawkins before dropping the firearm and leaving the scene.

Bystanders detained him shortly thereafter.

As Niarhos was being escorted to the police station, he was recorded by an officer's body camera shouting at first responders who were attempting to save Hawkins, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The 15-year-old is said to have yelled at emergency services, “He's a rapist, don't be sorry for him... he raped a 15-year-old girl, don't help him!”

Dr Khalil Wardak, a forensic pathologist from the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, conducted an autopsy on Hawkins and discovered that he had been shot once in the side of his face at close range.

The cause of death, according to Dr Wardak, was a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was homicide.

Niarhos was charged as an adult with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and possessing a firearm while under the age of 18.

On November 22, 2023, he was formally arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Margaret Hunsicker and sent to the Montgomery County Youth Center.

A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Scott T Palladino is scheduled for November 30, 2023.