Police in Pennsylvania have arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with the death of another 16-year-old. Eric Krassman Jr. allegedly shot Darell Love inside his home in Beaver Falls on December 18, 2024. Love’s mother reportedly heard a loud sound, and her son appeared in her bedroom, bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound to the head. She called 911 for help, but tragically, her son succumbed to his injuries.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by CBS News, before he died, Love identified Krassman as the shooter. Krassman allegedly left the scene, but police arrested him days later. Now, Love’s mother and loved ones want justice.
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The incident occurred late in the evening.
Police arrived at a home in the 300 block of 13th street just before 10 p.m. after Veronica Harrington called for help, according to CBS News. She reportedly told police her son had identified Krassman as the shooter before he died. The suspected killer allegedly dropped a semiautomatic handgun in the living room before fleeing the home. Emergency personnel took Love to Allegheny General Hospital, where he died a short time later.
Police began their search.
A few days after the shooting, the City of Beaver Falls Police Department posted a call to action on Facebook with pictures of Krassman. Officers asked anyone who saw the teen to contact the department immediately. Residents were advised not to approach Krassman. Hours after the initial post, a second post claimed police had arrested him. It is unclear how Krassman ended up in police custody.
The news of the shooting came as a shock to many people.
After the shooting, Love’s friend, James Korff, told WTAE that he saw the news on social media. “I cried. I was at my friend’s house, and I was looking on Snapchat. People were reposting, ‘Praying for your Darell.’ And I’m like, ‘What happened to Darell ?'” he said. “I’m finding out from other people other information. It’s very sad because someone who I see as a friend, a brother, something like that happened to him, it is very disheartening.“
Friend Ty’onn Fair agreed with Koff’s sentiment. “To hear about something happening to him, of all people, is just – there’s nothing you could do. It’s a hard impact, he said.
Big Beaver Falls Area School District issued a statement.
Superintendent Donna M. Nugent wrote in a statement shared on Facebook:
“It is with profound heartbreak that we share the devastating news of the loss of one of our students. Early this morning, we tragically lost Darell Love, a 10th-grade student, a beloved member of our Beaver Falls High School family whose big smile and vibrant presence left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. This loss is deeply felt by our students, staff, and families, and our hearts go out to his family and loved ones during this unimaginable time. We extend our deepest condolences and stand ready to support them in any way we can.”
The district promised additional mental health services for students affected by the tragedy.
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The loss of her son has left Harrington devastated.
She shared several photos of Love on Facebook with the caption, “My heart hurts like a pain I’ve never wanted to feel I am not ok nor will I ever be he was my baby he was so full of life I just wanna wake up from this.”
Kami Ferrozzutti created a GoFundMe account to aid with final expenses. It’s raised nearly $12,000 of an $18,000 goal thus far.
“Darell Love unexpectedly passed away due to gun violence. Someone who he thought was his friend took his life from him. Darell was only 16 years old, a sophomore in high school,” she shared on the page. “He was the sweetest soul you would ever meet, always smiling and so respectful. He definitely knew how to make a room light up with his jokes or his laugh. He loved everyone and was loved by everyone.”
