HAZLETON, Pa. — A shooting incident at a local bar has left one man dead and another injured, prompting police to take a suspect into custody.
Authorities responded to reports of gunfire early Sunday morning, arriving at the scene around 1:30 a.m. to find two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds at the intersection of Alter and 20th Street. One victim was found unconscious and critically injured, while the second victim was aware but also sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite the swift efforts of emergency personnel to revive him, the unconscious man was later declared dead at a nearby hospital. An autopsy has been scheduled for the coming days to determine the exact cause of death.
Witnesses at the bar described the shooter as a tall man with dreadlocks, wearing sunglasses, a leather shirt, and grey pants. This information helped police quickly identify the suspect as 27-year-old Jose Sandoval-Perez. He was apprehended shortly after the shooting took place.
Sandoval-Perez faces several serious charges, including felony theft of a firearm, recklessly endangering another person, and carrying a firearm without a license. Authorities revealed that the weapon used in the incident had been reported stolen from a residence in the area.
Police emphasized that this shooting appears to be an isolated event among the bar’s patrons, assuring the community that there is no ongoing threat. The investigation is ongoing, and Sandoval-Perez was arraigned on Sunday, where bail was denied.
Detectives from Hazleton City and Luzerne County are actively seeking additional witnesses to the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact local authorities or submit a tip through the Hazleton City Police Crimewatch website.