-Edition
Font Resize
The homicide of a York City man on Sunday morning near the corner of South Pine Street and Liberty Court remains an open case for now, and a man wanted for questioning in the incident is still being sought, police said.
William Baxter, 48, of the 300 block of South Pershing Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 6:30 a.m. shooting, York City Police said.
An autopsy is set for Tuesday to verify the cause of death as a single gunshot wound, according to the York County Coroner's Office. That will happen at Allentown's Lehigh Valley Hospital.
The victim's younger brother, William Jamison, 47, of Springettsbury Township, wasn't there when Baxter was gunned down, but went to the scene and spoke with detectives after receiving a phone call about what happened.
He said he was told a gunshot to Baxter's leg damaged an artery, which caused him to bleed to death.
Police confirmed Baxter was shot in the leg.
Lt. Tim Utley, who supervises the city detective bureau, said investigators are still trying to determine what led to the fatal shooting.
"The probability of it being a street robbery is high," he said. "But we're still trying to verify that."
Wanted man: Detectives said they are searching for York City resident Jerome D. Dickson to question him about Sunday's slaying. He also has an outstanding warrant on an unrelated robbery charge.
Dickson, 23, whose last known address was in the 200 block of Harding Court, is wanted for allegedly committing a carjacking on Nov. 1, according to police.
At this point, Dickson is considered a person of interest in Baxter's homicide, police said, and is believed to be armed.
Loving brother: Jamison remembered his brother as a man who was always around to help.
"He was just always there for me, no matter what the situation," Jamison said. "He has always been there for me."
Baxter was the husband of Teresa Baxter and had two biological children and three stepchildren, according to Jamison.
"He was a great father," Jamison said. "This summer he has been playing basketball with his son, who is participating in a youth summer basketball league."
Baxter and his brother enjoyed playing basketball together and going to sporting events.
"He was a very big sports fan and he liked the Philadelphia Eagles," Jamison said.
Self-employed: "We just hung out and did work together, odd jobs or whatever. I was always helping him out whenever he needed me," said Jamison, explaining that his brother was self-employed.
The son of the late William Cook and the late Geraldine Baxter, Baxter lived in York City his whole life and graduated from William Penn Senior High School in 1981.
"He had a good heart," said Jamison. "There was absolutely nothing that he wouldn't do to help somebody. He always put other people first before himself."
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call detectives at 849-2219, or call the anonymous tip line at 849-2204. Or text a tip to "YORKTIPS" at 847411.
- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com. Staff writers Liz Evans Scolforo and Greg Gross contributed to this report.
