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<p>SUGARLOAF TWP. &#8212; A West Hazleton teen accused of fatally shooting a 17-year-old during what state police allege was a botched drug deal in Freeland will now face a criminal homicide charge in Luzerne County Court.</p><p>Brandon Joseph Gambardella, 18, appeared for a preliminary hearing Thursday before District Judge Daniel O&#8217;Donnell, who forwarded the homicide charge to county court.</p><p>Gambardella is accused of fatally shooting Anthony Bonney, of Freeland, on June 18.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint:</p><p>Gambardella agreed via Facebook messenger to meet Bonney and James Joseph Shanda to purchase cocaine for $110.</p><p>Bonney and the other man did not have the drug, but went ahead with the plan anyway.</p><p>Gambardella was driven by two females to the meeting at Freeland Public Park.</p><p>Bonney and Shanda approached the car at about 1:45 a.m. and completed the deal. But then Gambardella said he wanted to test the cocaine, and Bonney and Shanda fled.</p><p>Gambardella chased them.</p><p>Moments later, the females heard gunfire and Gambardella returned to the vehicle and reportedly said he didn&#8217;t mean for the shooting to happen.</p><p>Shanda told police he heard the gunshot and saw Bonney fall to the ground.</p><p>Luzerne County Coroner William Lisman said Bonney died after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.</p><p>Gambardella remains jailed at the county lockup without bail.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Brandon-Gambardella-06182018-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Gambardella </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Brandon-Gambardella-06182018-4.jpg</photo0><caption0>Gambardella </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

West Hazleton teen facing trial in fatal shooting in Freeland