PHILADELPHIA (February 24, 2025) — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and members of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Gun Violence Task Force (GVTF) on Monday announced charges against five suspects for their roles in the production and straw purchase of several firearms, one of which was later used in the April 10, 2024, non-fatal shooting outside of the Philadelphia Masjid in West Philadelphia on the Muslim holiday of Eid. Two of the suspects charged are juveniles. This remains an active Philadelphia Grand Jury investigation; as such, the DAO is limited in the details it can share about this case.
Chase Freas (DOB 3/27/06) is charged with six counts of Sale or Transfer of Firearms (F1), Conspiracy (F1), and related offenses.
Shane Scott (DOB 4/7/03), who remains at large, is charged with one count of Sale or Transfer of Firearms (F1), Conspiracy (F1), and related offenses.
Nicholas Luciani (DOB 6/14/98) is charged with one count of Prohibited Offensive Weapon (M1).
Following the April 2024 shooting, the DAO Gun Violence Task Force opened investigations not only to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in the actual shooting but also to trace the path of the privately manufactured Polymer 80 ghost gun found at the scene of the Eid shooting. This investigation uncovered a gun manufacturing ring operating in Delaware County. The current charges stem from text messages obtained during the lengthy GVTF investigation. These messages indicated gun trafficking activity and the purchase of a Polymer 80 firearm-making kit. Additional firearm-making materials were recovered at defendant Freas’ residence.
“These charges should send a message to anyone who is contemplating trafficking firearms or who is currently engaged in such activity: Not only will this office investigate and track down shooters involved in creating this kind of mayhem, but we will also come after those who enable such dangerous behavior,” said DA Krasner. “I commend Assistant District Attorney Marianne Aguilar, agents with the Gun Violence Task Force, and the Philadelphia Police Department for conducting this important investigation.”
“Make no mistake that we will continue to conduct deep-dive investigations like this one in order to hold accountable those engaged in such dangerous and illicit activity,” said ADA Aguilar. “Taking shooters and their suppliers off the streets in order to ensure the safety of our community is the GVTF’s top priority.”
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
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