Bensalem, Pennsylvania – A teenager from Bucks County was recently sentenced for the tragic shooting and killing of a 12-year-old girl, followed by an attempt to cover up the crime by reaching out to a friend on Instagram for help.
The teenager, now identified as Ash Cooper, previously known as Joshua Cooper, pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree murder, possession of a weapon, and tampering with evidence in connection to the November 2022 incident involving Morgan Connors. This case shed light on a disturbing chain of events that led to a heartbreaking and senseless loss of life.
During the sentencing, Cooper, 18, received a harsh penalty of 15 to 40 years in state prison, in addition to a consecutive sentence of seven years of probation. The judge also mandated Cooper to comply with all directives from adult probation and parole, including undergoing psychological and psychiatric evaluations to address underlying issues.
The tragic incident unfolded on November 25, 2022, at Top of the Ridge Trailer Park in Bensalem, when authorities responded to a distressing 911 call regarding a suspected homicide. Subsequently, investigators learned that Cooper, in a video chat on Instagram, confessed to a friend about the accidental killing and then sought assistance in covering up the dreadful aftermath.
Upon police arrival at the scene, they discovered Connors’ lifeless body in the trailer bathroom, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Further evidence suggested an attempt to sanitize the crime scene. The subsequent arrest of Cooper near the trailer park, following a brief pursuit, marked a pivotal moment in the investigation.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristin McElroy shared a poignant impact statement during Cooper’s sentencing, articulating the profound grief and anguish experienced by Connors’ grandfather over the devastating loss of his granddaughter. The reverberating effects of such an incomprehensible tragedy resonated deeply within the community, highlighting the grim repercussions of such heinous acts on innocent lives.