Lancaster, Pa. - Police say a man found dead in the parking lot of a Lancaster apartment building last month was shot to death during a violent struggle with a man he had robbed during a drug deal.

Lancaster police released the information Tuesday while announcing charges in the events leading up to the May 21 death of Thomas R. Brown III.

Brown, 35, was found dead shortly after midnight in the parking lot of the Farnum Street Towers.

Police said he had been in a car with 34-year-old Quenton L. Skrine, of Landisville, when two 19-year-olds, Jerry James and Ray Bradshaw, both of Lancaster, got into the backseat with the intentions of conducting a drug transaction.

Police said Brown and Skrine pulled guns on James and Bradshaw and demanded their possessions. James and Bradshaw handed over a cell phone, a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, a ten dollar bill and three to four bags of crack cocaine.

According to a police news release, Brown jumped into the rear seat after James disarmed Skrine. A violent struggle ensued between the two men, during which James shot Brown several times, the release stated. James and Bradshaw then ran toward the apartment building, yelling for someone to call police, according to the news release.

Police charged Skrine with robbery, conspiracy, and firearms violations. James and Bradshaw were charged with conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance.

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