Bensalem, Pennsylvania – A teenager from Bucks County has been sentenced for the tragic shooting and killing of a 12-year-old girl, followed by a disturbing request for help covering up the crime on social media.
Ash Cooper, previously known as Joshua Cooper, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, possession of an instrument of crime, and tampering with physical evidence in connection to the November 2022 incident involving Morgan Connors. Cooper, 18, has been handed a 15 to 40-year prison sentence, along with an additional seven years of probation. The court also mandated that Cooper undergo psychological and psychiatric evaluations and adhere to all guidelines set by adult probation and parole.
The tragic event unfolded on November 25, 2022, at the Top of the Ridge Trailer Park in Bensalem. Police responded to a distressing 911 call reporting a potential homicide. The investigation revealed that Cooper had been in an Instagram video chat with a friend, confessing to accidentally killing someone and asking for assistance in cleaning up the scene and hiding the victim’s body.
Upon arriving at the trailer park, law enforcement officers were met with a grim scene – Connors’ lifeless body was discovered in the bathroom, bearing a gunshot wound. Evidence suggested that attempts had been made to clean the crime scene. Cooper was spotted fleeing the premises and was later apprehended by authorities.
According to detectives, Cooper obtained the firearm from her father’s safe while carrying out cleaning duties. The teenager had accessed the safe to replace the batteries, rendering the combination lock dysfunctional. During the sentencing hearing, an impact statement from Connors’ grandfather was read, expressing the profound grief and anguish caused by the loss of his granddaughter.
“The human heart is not equipped to withstand such profound sorrow,” the heartfelt letter emphasized, shedding light on the devastating impact of the senseless tragedy on the victim’s family.
Overall, Cooper’s sentencing serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of reckless actions and the irreparable harm caused by acts of violence. The community continues to mourn the loss of an innocent life, as authorities work towards ensuring justice for Morgan Connors and her grieving loved ones.