HARRISBURG — Attorney General Sunday announced that a York County jury has convicted a man for killing 20-year-old Justin Griffith at a park in 2021.
Following a week-long trial, 21-year-old Elijah Penn was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2026.
According to testimony, Penn approached a group of people playing basketball at the park and opened fire, killing Griffith and wounding another man.
“This case illustrates the senselessness of gun violence with the killing of a purely innocent victim who was enjoying warm summer weather, playing basketball at the park,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I personally got to know Justin’s family and the impact this tragedy had on them and the entire community, and hope this verdict offers a sense of justice that assists in their healing process.”
According to testimony, Penn fired as many as 16 shots on July 5, 2021, at Cousler Park basketball courts in York. Penn was a gang member targeting a member of a rival gang who was also struck but survived.
The Office of Attorney General is grateful to the Northern York County Regional Police Department and Bailey Botterbusch, Victim/Witness Coordinator with the York County District Attorney’s Office, for their work on this case.
This case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Zarallo and Senior Deputy Attorney General Lauren Eichelberger.
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