Counseling offered at Sharon Schools after murder of student

Sharon High and Middle Schools are offering counseling today after a 15-year-old student was shot to death and another student was charged with criminal homicide.

The victim has been identified by police as 15-year-old Anthony "Tony" Keppel and the suspect has been identified as 16 year-old Christopher Dickson Jr.

Police said Dickson has been charged as an adult with criminal homicide.

The shooting took place Tuesday evening around 5:30 p.m. at a home on Meek Street, near Jefferson Avenue on the city's northeast side.

"I heard a gun shot so I ducked first and then I snatched open the back door and I seen kids like panicking and running and I was like, 'What happened? I heard a gun shot. What happened?,'" said Neighbor Donna Thomas.

Sharon Police Chief Gerry Smith said 15-year-old Tony Keppel was shot and transported to the hospital, where he later died. 
The chief couldn't discuss details of the shooting. But, a man who identified himself as the victim's uncle said it may have been an accident.

"I heard it was over a sandwich," said Julio Cruz. "A little argument, playing around and he was accidentally shot in the chest."

Police from several surrounding communities helped Sharon Police search for the suspect. The search stretched across nearly half of the city.

"We had reports of sightings of this individual in various places in town, he was ultimately spotted on Liberty Street and taken into custody by Sharon Police Department," said Chief Smith.

Many neighbors were shaken by what they heard on the normally quiet street.

"He was trying to fight for his life, so me and the other neighbor we just started praying together," said one neighbor.

For Keppel's uncle, he said the teen had his share of trouble but was cleaning up his act. 

He offered some advice to others his age.

"Violence ain't the key, guns ain't the key, just stay away from guns period. No firearms," said Cruz.

An autopsy for Keppel is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 11 a.m.

Dickson Jr. is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 Wednesday morning.