Jury Began Deliberations in Lancaster Murder Trial
The trial centers on the 2022 shooting death of Luis Oscar Sanchez at a local restaurant.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Violence
A jury has started deliberations in the murder trial of Jerbrell Westmoreland and Ziair Collymore. Prosecutors allege the two men killed 29-year-old Luis Oscar Sanchez at a Lancaster restaurant as part of a gang-related revenge plot.
Why it matters
The case highlights concerns regarding retaliatory violence between local groups, stemming from a prior murder involving the victim's cousin. Authorities aim to hold the defendants accountable for the fatal shooting and the injury of a bystander.
Jerbrell Westmoreland and Ziair Collymore face charges of first-degree murder, attempted homicide, and conspiracy. The proceedings follow the arrests of Collymore in February 2023 and Westmoreland in March 2023.
The players
Jerbrell Westmoreland
The 34-year-old defendant stands accused of first-degree murder, attempted homicide, and conspiracy.
Ziair Collymore
The 26-year-old defendant faces serious felony charges related to the fatal shooting incident.
Luis Oscar Sanchez
The 29-year-old victim was killed during the 2022 shooting at a local restaurant.
Tyler Wilson
Currently serving a 25- to 50-year prison sentence, he is the individual convicted for the prior murder of Jatavis Scott.
The details
Prosecutors presented surveillance footage and text messages to demonstrate that the defendants acted in retaliation for a murder committed by the victim's cousin. During the shooting at Prince of Subs, a security guard was also wounded in his left leg.
Timeline
Luis Oscar Sanchez was killed on November 28, 2022.
Ziair Collymore was arrested on February 24, 2023.
Jerbrell Westmoreland was arrested on March 6, 2023.
The murder trial for the two defendants began on September 14, 2026.
Legal Context
This trial follows the established pattern of retaliatory violence linked to the murder of Jatavis Scott. These proceedings underscore how local criminal justice systems prosecute cycles of gang-related revenge.
The high-profile nature of this gang-related trial may lead to heightened security presence near the courthouse and public buildings in Lancaster. Residents should expect continued traffic adjustments in the vicinity of the trial proceedings until a verdict is reached.
The takeaway
The resolution of this case marks a significant point in the city's effort to address long-standing cycles of retaliatory violence. Residents are encouraged to monitor official court updates to remain informed about the potential impact on public safety.
Further reading
For more background on regional security issues, visit Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LancasterOnline.
