`Police arrest 2 on charges they helped with shooting`

Sharon police arrested two men for their alleged roles in the December shooting of a Sharon man. Robert L. Kearse, 28, of 301 George St., Farrell, and Everald M. Shirley, 30, formerly of Farrell, were arrested at 9:28 a.m. Wednesday in the Lawrence County Jail. Both were charged with robbery, conspiracy, aggravated assault, hindering apprehension, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Police said Kearse and Shirley assisted three men from Brooklyn, N.Y., in planning the shooting that injured James “Jake” Hopson, 25, of 1239 Cedar Ave.

Rodger J. Keith, Jamar R. Booker and John Smith knocked on Hopson’s door and rushed him Dec. 4 in a burglary attempt, police said.

They shot Hopson, who returned fire. Shirley provided a gun for the incident, police said. Smith and Booker were wounded in the incident.

Police said both Shirley and Kearse were in touch with the men on cellular phones after the shooting. The pair also led the men to St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown, where they were treated.

Both were jailed in May for attempts to intimidate Hopson.

They remain in jail on $100,000 bond.

They were moved to Lawrence County to separate them from the other suspects. Keith and Smith have pleaded guilty, while Booker is expected to go to trial.

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Updated July 30, 1998
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