On Fanta Bility’s 12th birthday, her favorite park in Sharon Hill was renamed to honor her legacy
The 8-year-old's family and friends gathered to honor her memory Wednesday, hoping the park that now bears her name will be a safe place for children to gather for generations to come.
During her short, vibrant life, Fanta Bility made Sharon Hill Park her second home, its playground serving as a host to countless days of childhood fun.
On Wednesday, which would have been Fanta’s 12th birthday, the park was renamed for the girl, who was killed by a stray bullet when gunfire erupted outside a high school football game in 2021. Her family hopes the Fanta Bility Memorial Playground will keep her memory alive as future generations of children use it as a haven and enjoy it as she did.
“Fanta had a blessed spirit, a lively spirit,” Siddiq Kamara, Fanta’s cousin, said moments after he and his family unveiled a memorial marker dedicated to the 8-year-old. “We’re hoping and we’re praying that she would be happy that we’re continuing her name and legacy.”
Fanta was killed as she and her family were leaving a football game at Academy Park High School. Three Sharon Hill police officers — who were later convicted of reckless endangerment — opened fire at a car they mistakenly believed was the source of a shooting outside the stadium, and one of their bullets struck Fanta in the back.
The true sources of the gunfire were two men, Angelo “AJ” Ford and Hasein Strand, who had shot at each other over a petty, gang-fueled beef. Both are now serving state prison sentences for their roles in starting the chaotic, deadly scene that followed.
Fanta’s death sparked years of protests and outrage across the county, the officers were fired and criminally charged, and the borough and its police department promised better officer training. The Bility family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the borough and was eventually awarded $11 million.
In the fall, the Sharon Hill Borough Council passed a resolution to form a citizens’ police advisory board as a term of the settlement with the Bility family. Council President Tanya Allen said Wednesday she hopes to put it into place in the coming months.
“The truth is, our community is forever marked by her tragic death,” Allen said. “And while we remember her today, we want to move forward with renewed connection, love, and support.”
Progress was the theme of Wednesday’s dedication as community members and loved ones gathered to honor Fanta in the spirit of what her family described as her generous, giving nature.
State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, a Democrat whose district includes Sharon Hill, said he did not want “to be wrapped in grief,” but rather in love for the Bility family, who he said had shown dignity and grace in the years since Fanta’s death.
Citing the “unfortunate circumstances” that led to her death, Williams said he would sponsor a bill in the state legislature to generate additional funding for use-of-force training for local police officers.
“Delaware County has a legacy of overlooking certain communities,” he said. “This baby made sure her government, the adults, stood up to make sure the right people were held accountable.”
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said he took pride in prosecuting the now-former police officers responsible for Fanta’s death, and said he had “never met a more gracious, loving, or better group of human beings” than her extended family.
“We will always remember Fanta Bility,” he said. “Not only in Sharon Hill, but in all of Delaware County.”