BENSALEM, Pennsylvania – A teenager from Bensalem has been sentenced to 15 to 40 years in prison for the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl. What started as a chilling confession to another teen quickly unraveled a devastating crime that shocked the community.
Ash Cooper, formerly known as Joshua, admitted to third-degree murder in connection to the shooting of Morgan Connors at the Top of the Ridge Trailer Park in November 2022. The details of the case emerged during a video chat on Instagram where Cooper allegedly displayed the victim’s lifeless body to a friend, covered in blood. Shockingly, Cooper also sought the friend’s help in disposing of the body.
The alarming revelation prompted the friend to contact her mother, who promptly alerted the authorities. According to legal documents, Cooper expressed remorse to the police, indicating the shooting was accidental but acknowledging his responsibility for the tragic outcome. In a chilling twist, Cooper’s claim of a past sexual relationship with the victim raised even more questions about the events that led to the fatal shooting.
Neighbors recalled hearing a gunshot but dismissed it as insignificant at the time. This tragic incident shattered their perception of the quiet teen, leaving them questioning the events that transpired behind closed doors. Authorities pieced together the timeline leading up to the crime, painting a chilling picture of events that unfolded in Cooper’s home.
The coroner’s report confirmed the cause of Connors’ death as a gunshot wound to the neck and upper chest area. The community grappled with the grim reality of a young life cut short as Cooper’s sentencing offered a semblance of justice for the victim’s family. The shocking details of the case serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of violence within our communities.