EXCLUSIVE: Pennsylvania homeless advocate Tom Niarhos devastated after teenage son, 15, is charged with shooting dead itinerant, 39, who he accused of raping his girlfriend, 16, behind a dumpster

A 15-year-old Pennsylvania boy has been charged with the murder of a traveling man accused of raping his 16-year-old girlfriend. His father, who works as a homeless advocate, is “devastated.”

Thomas James Niarhos of Stowe was charged with first-degree murder Wednesday in the death of Jeremiah Waylon Hawkins, 39.

Police arrived on the scene in Pottstown just after noon and found Hawkins, a homeless man, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Niarhos was detained by witnesses and immediately taken into police custody after the incident, according to Montgomery County District District Kevin R. Steele.

Officers recovered a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson semi-automatic firearm at the scene, which investigators later determined was the firearm of his father, who goes by the same name, Tom Niarhos.

Niarhos is the son of Tom Niarhos, the executive director of the homeless advocacy group Beacon of Hope

Investigators say the motive for the shooting may be related to an alleged assault on Niarhos’ girlfriend four months earlier

The incident took place in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and police arrived to find Hawkins with a gunshot wound to the head

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, the elder Niarhos expressed his extreme displeasure over the incident.

“The only comment I have is that it was a tragedy and my prayers go out to (Hawkins’) family,” he said.

Niarhos also confirmed that Hawkins was not immediately known to the organization he works for, Pottstown Beacon of Hope.

Beacon of Hope provides emergency shelter to those experiencing homelessness in the areas, as well as a warming center for those living on the streets.

Niarhos has been executive director of the charity for the past three years, having previously become homeless himself.

Investigators say the motive for the shooting may be related to an alleged assault on Niarhos’ girlfriend four months earlier.

Previous police records show that Niarhos told officers in July that Hawkins allegedly raped his 16-year-old girlfriend. The girl has not been identified.

Pottstown police investigated the allegations at the time, but received no cooperation from the girl’s family, and her mother told police they did not want to press charges.

According to witness interviews and a police review of surveillance footage, Niarhos had visited Hawkins while the two stood close to each other arguing.

The younger Niarhos allegedly extended his arm toward Hawkins before a tire was thrown at him, police said.

Despite Hawkins’ attempt, Niarhos allegedly fired a single shot at Hawkins’ face, causing him to fall to the ground.

Niarhos had told officers in July that Hawkins allegedly raped his 16-year-old girlfriend

Niarhos allegedly shouted ‘he’s a rapist, don’t feel sorry for him’ as he was escorted from the crime scene

The younger Niarhos, seen here, regularly shared videos on his YouTube channel with diss tracks

The younger Niarhos then allegedly fired another shot at Hawkins before dropping the firearm and walking away, where he was then detained by bystanders.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, while Niarhos was being escorted to the police station, an officer’s body camera recorded him yelling at the first responders who were trying to save Hawkins.

“He’s a rapist, don’t feel sorry for him… he raped a 15-year-old girl, don’t help him,” the younger Niarhos allegedly shouted at emergency services.

Anthony Colavecci, who is also homeless, told MediaNews Group on Wednesday after the shooting that Hawkins, who he called “Jay,” was his former roommate.

Colavecci said Hawkins, who had recently become addicted to drugs, “saved my life.”

“I slipped in the bathroom and kept saying I was fine, but he insisted the ambulance take me to hospital,” he said.

“I keep telling myself I don’t care, but there are people who will miss him and I’m one of them.”

On Wednesday, Niarhos’ father told investigators he received a call from a friend who was crying and telling him to report to police.

Detectives then showed him a photo of the recovered firearm, which he identified as his and missing from his home.

The elder Niarhos told officers he had recently kept that gun in his bedroom in a locked nightstand.

Tom Niarhos (pictured with his wife Samantha) told DailyMail.com that the shooting was “a tragedy and my prayers go out to (Hawkins’) family.”

Niarhos allegedly fired a single shot into his face, causing him to fall immediately before firing another shot

He also told police he found a note in his son’s bedroom on Wednesday detailing his plan to run away, as well as a wrapped bag of clothes.

An autopsy on Hawkins was performed by Dr. Khalil Wardak, a forensic pathologist with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, found that Hawkins was shot once at close range in the side of the face.

Dr. Wardak opined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and the cause of death was homicide.

Niarhos was formally charged as an adult with first-degree murder, third-degree murder and possession of a firearm as a minor, among other charges.

He was formally arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Margaret Hunsicker on November 22, 2023, and remanded to the Montgomery County Youth Center.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 30, 2023 before Magisterial District Judge Scott T. Palladino.