A 30-year-old man was convicted of third-degree murder on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, for his role in the murder of Shaquille Love of Bristol Township four years ago.

Following a three-day waiver trial, Common Pleas Judge Wallace H. Bateman Jr. ruled that Kelvontae Nasheed Perry, of Taft Street in Bristol Township, conspired with others to shoot and kill 21-year-old Shaquille Love on Dec. 23, 2020, in the 1800 block of Edgely Road.

In addition to third-degree murder, Bateman found Perry guilty of aggravated assault, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of an instrument of crime, possession of a weapon, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Bateman deferred sentencing for 90 days for a pre-sentence investigation.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristin M. McElroy described Love as an innocent victim who was caught up in the gunfire of a violent and long-standing feud between rival Bristol Township neighborhoods.

“Enough is enough,” McElroy said in her closing arguments on Friday. “This violence in Bristol Township needs to stop.”

Love, who was not involved in the feud, was giving his friend a ride when they came across a car driven by Perry and occupied by another man. Love’s friend and Perry and his occupant were part of the rival neighborhoods.

“Shaquille Love paid the ultimate price for helping out a friend,” McElroy said.

During the trial, Bucks County detectives testified that Perry was driving his gold Lexus and was purposefully following Love's vehicle throughout the Bristol Township area just prior to the homicide. Love’s passenger asked Love to pull to the side and let the Lexus pass them.

As Perry passed Love’s vehicle, he slowed down just long enough for his co-conspirator to shoot Love out of the front passenger window, and then he quickly sped away. Perry’s vehicle was found a month later parked at his girlfriend’s apartment complex.

Police were dispatched to the 1800 block of Edgely Road at  7 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2020. At the scene, officers discovered a deceased male, later identified as Love, in the driver's seat of his vehicle. It was determined that he died from a single gunshot to the head.

Two acquaintances of Perry testified during trial that Perry told them he took part in the shooting.  Perry’s co-conspirator has not been charged in the homicide.

Another man, Quashaad James, 29, also of Bristol Township, is awaiting trial on perjury and false swearing charges after he lied to the Grand Jury under oath by falsely accusing another person as Love’s killer. James is currently incarcerated on an unrelated case.

“Our hearts go out to the Love family for the loss of their son Shaquille in a senseless act of violence,” District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said. “They had to wait almost four years, but today thanks to this outstanding team that has worked this case since the night it happened made sure that justice was finally served with the conviction of one of the assailants. This team was tireless in their efforts to gather the necessary evidence that led to this successful prosecution.”

The 13-month investigation was conducted by Detectives with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Bristol Township Police Department with the assistance of the 20th Investigating Grand Jury.

Chief Deputy District Kristin M. McElroy and Deputy District Attorney Brittney M. Kern prosecuted the case.

Media Contact: Manuel Gamiz Jr., 215.348.6298, mgamiz@buckscounty.org