Father arrested after Philadelphia high school football star accidentally shot dead by twin brother 

A Philadelphia man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the accidental shooting death of his teen son, just two days after charges were murder charges were dropped against the boy’s twin brother.  

Aleem Gillard, 42, of Philadelphia, was arrested Thursday night and charged with involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child and possessing an instrument of crime, according to NBC Philadelphia. 

Aleem’s arrest occurred two days after murder and other charges were dropped against his 18-year-old son, Fayaadh Gillard, who was accused of fatally shooting his twin brother, Suhail Gillard on December 1 at around 5.20pm. 

Aleem Gillard, 42, was arrested Thursday night and charged with involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child and possessing an instrument of crime

Fayaadh was arrested December 2 and charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime, unsworn falsification to authorities, and obstructing justice for reportedly lying to police.

Police said Fayaadh had initially claimed that Suhail was shot by someone else at a store. 

District Attorney Larry Krasner called Suhail’s death a ‘horrifically tragic accident’ and noted that evidence suggested that while Fayaad pulled the trigger, he had do it with the intention of killing his twin brother, so he ‘should not be criminally liable under these circumstances.’

Aleem, however, was found to be victims of a criminal act by investigators. 

Authorities said Aleem had been showing his children – Fayaadh, Suhail and their 16-year-old sister – how to load and unload a gun at the time when Suhail was shot, CBS Philly reported. 

Aleem's charges came just two days after murder charges were dropped against his son, Fayaadh Gillard (left). Investigators determined Fayaadh had accidentally, fatally shot his twin brother, Suhail (right) on December 1

Aleem’s charges came just two days after murder charges were dropped against his son, Fayaadh Gillard (left). Investigators determined Fayaadh had accidentally, fatally shot his twin brother, Suhail (right) on December 1

Police said Fayaadh (left) had initially claimed that Suhail (right) was shot by another gunman at a store. It was later determined Fayaadh shot Suhail while learning to load Aleem's gun

Police said Fayaadh (left) had initially claimed that Suhail (right) was shot by another gunman at a store. It was later determined Fayaadh shot Suhail while learning to load Aleem’s gun

Suhail (pictured) was a star high school football player, who also ran on the track team

Suhail (pictured) was a star high school football player, who also ran on the track team

As a convicted felon, the district attorney’s office said, Aleem should not have been in possession of a gun per Pennsylvania law.   

‘Further careful investigation led us to find that Fayaadh and his younger sister were also victims of a criminal act, by their father who put the lives of his three children in danger on that terrible day,’ the Krasner said, according to NBC Philadelphia.  

Authorities said that after the incident, Aleem encouraged both Fayaadh and his sister to lie about what happened. 

The twin brothers were seniors at Mastery Charter High School, where they were star football players who recently recently given first-team All-Public honors. 

In addition to being a three-time All-Public League player, Suhail was a member of the school’s track team.  

The twins’ uncle, Hasan Ford, said that they were co-captains on the football team and that they were dedicated to both academics and sports, which made them leaders at the school.  

‘It’s a tragedy. To come back from the Thanksgiving break and find this out, we’re all just shocked and devastated,’ Mastery spokeswoman Rae Oglesby told the news station. ‘Our prayers are with his family and his teammates.’

Aleem is being held on $500,000 bond.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk