A 17-year-old alleged member of a street gang was named by Scranton police as a suspect in the fatal shooting that occurred on Tuesday night.
Investigators statement: Scranton Shooting Incident
Investigators stated during an early Wednesday afternoon hearing that they think Kenneth Tapia shot a guy during a major altercation near Weston Field at around eight o’clock in the evening. He was charged on Wednesday with shooting 32-year-old Robert Dawson. Afterwards, Dawson passed away in Geisinger Community Hospital. According to a docket submitted to the Lackawanna County Court, Tapia is accused of simple, aggravated, and riotous assault. At an early Tuesday preliminary arraignment, he was denied bail. Tapia faces adult charges. There will likely be additional costs.
Additionally, charges were brought against 18-year-old Keenan Ford for allegedly attacking Dawson and then lying to the police. In an afternoon hearing on Wednesday, a county court decided that Tapia, who is purportedly a part of a nearby group known as “Crips,” may be detained at the Lackawanna County Prison. He can’t find a bed in the juvenile jail system, which is a recurring problem in the area. On April 24, he has a preliminary hearing planned.
Heated Investigations:
Officer James Petrucci of the Scranton Police Department testified that witnesses had informed investigators they had seen Tapia argue with the victim before hearing gunshots. Tapia rushed toward a gang hangout on the 1000 block of North Main Avenue after Dawson fell, hurling a revolver from his waistband into a yard. On Wednesday as well, officers went back to the Village Park condominiums to gather information. That’s just a block away from the house on North Main Avenue where tactical units barricaded it on Tuesday night and seemed to fire tear gas inside. A 9 mm handgun and two 9 mm shot casings were discovered on Curtis Lane, according to the investigators’ testimony during the hearing. Moments before the brawl turned fatal, Tyson Johnson witnessed it. “I must admit that I felt a little afraid for my children. After observing all those police officers and everything, I assumed I would have to run for my life.” Neighbor Larry Meyers claims the community is evolving.
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