West Chester felon charged in killing of Philly man

A second "gun-toting convicted felon" was taken into custody early Saturday, accused of spraying bullets in a West Chester neighborhood last month that killed a 23-year-old Philadelphia man.

Gregory C. Arrington, 21, of West Chester, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, firearms violations, and related offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of Towayne Uqdah, said First Assistant District Attorney Michael G. Noone.

Police said Uqdah was shot nine times. The shooting occurred in the borough in the area of North Matlack and Chestnut Streets about 2 a.m. on Jan. 27.

Another bullet went through the window of a residence where a couple was sleeping, and another round went through the coat of a witness at the scene, police said.

Arrington's alleged co-conspirator, James J.E. Potts Jr., 28, who listed residences in West Chester, Downingtown, and Philadelphia, was taken into custody Jan. 31.

"Arrington and his co-defendant Potts are both gun-toting convicted felons who killed a young man and put the lives of residents in danger," said Noone.

West Chester Police Chief Scott L. Bohn said investigators, who included county and borough detectives, had worked the case "round-the-clock" since the shooting occurred.

"I think it was critically important to get both of them off the street," said Bohn of the defendants. Bohn said the investigation was continuing. Anyone with additional information should contact the West Chester Police at 610-696-2700.

A witness told police that he was with Uqdah at the Spare Rib Bar in West Chester the evening of Jan. 26, 2011 when Uqdah pointed to Potts and said he “was supposed to do harm to him.” Potts was accompanied by Arrington, according to a criminal complaint filed in Arrington’s arrest.

The witness said that shortly after he, Uqdah, and another acquaintance left the bar on foot when it closed at 2 a.m., they were approached from behind by Potts and Arrington, both of whom had handguns, the complaint said. The witness said he fled as shots rang out and later found a bullet hole in his jacket and his shoe, the complaint said. Police did not identify the witness for his safety.

The police investigation included talking to another witness who said Potts and Arrington discussed the killing after it occurred. The witness told police Arrington “shot his gun multiple times at all three subjects until it was empty.”

Police said both defendants were prohibited from owning handguns because of prior convictions. Prosecutors said Potts had been convicted for drug dealing, escape, assault, and resisting arrest. Arrington was still on probation for a July 2009 robbery conviction, court records said. Uqdah’s court records show convictions for theft and drug offenses.

Contact staff writer Kathleen Brady Shea at 610-696-3815, kbrady@phillynews.com, or @brandywinebits on Twitter. Read her blog, "Chester County Inbox," at www.philly.com/chescoinbox.