Two teens are dead and two more are hospitalized after an ambush-style shooting in the city’s Juniata section late Tuesday evening.
The suspect in the shooting, 30-year-old Axel Barreto, was arrested Wednesday night following an investigation. He was located and placed in custody without incident in a motel in Bensalem.
The shooting happened at about 10:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of E. Luzerne Street. Police believe the shooting was the result of an altercation that began on Facebook.
Investigators say seven teenagers were inside a 1997 Toyota Corolla when a suspect opened fire on the car.
“The ’97 Toyota that the victims were in was struck at least six times by gunfire,” Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
One of the bullets struck the 16-year-old driver in the neck, while three other 14-year-olds in the car were hit by gunfire.
Despite being shot in the neck, the 16-year-old driver was able to drive the car to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
“Two of the 14-year-old victims were pronounced dead at the hospital just before 11 p.m. The third 14-year-old shooting victim is in extremely condition,” Small explained.
The 16-year-old victim is listed in stable condition at St. Christopher’s.
Small said at least 10 shots were fired at the teens from a semi-automatic gun.
“We quickly rounded up some witnesses and information from the conscious 16-year-old shooting victim, we were able to grab two possible suspects,” Small said.
The shooting remains under investigation.
