On January 15, 2017, a dispute at a Shell gas station at East Sixth and Parade streets in Erie, Pennsylvania, escalated into a fatal shooting. Marcell Jakeem Flemings, 26, was involved in a physical altercation when another man, Merle A. Page Jr., then 26, went to a gold-colored car, retrieved a handgun and fired. Surveillance footage captured Page taking the firearm from the vehicle, advancing toward Flemings and shooting him. Flemings was taken to UPMC Hamot but died shortly after arrival. At least a dozen people were reported present at the station.

Erie Police quickly identified Page as the suspect; he was arrested and charged with homicide, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of a crime, carrying a firearm without a license and ten counts of reckless endangerment. He was held without bond and faced a potential first-degree murder prosecution. The defense raised questions about Page’s mental state and sought a psychiatric evaluation; a forensic psychologist testified to an adjustment disorder but a judge found Page competent to stand trial. Did anyone witness the altercation at the pump or see the gold-colored car that night?