An 18-year-old charged in the killing of a 19-year-old in Allentown faces trial in Lehigh County Court.
A Lehigh County district judge determined Thursday after Yaniel Fermin’s preliminary hearing that there was enough evidence for his charges in the Jan. 22 killing of Jeomy Soto, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said in a news release.
Fermin, of Allentown, is charged with homicide, drug possession with intent to deliver and possession of a firearm by a minor.
Soto was shot in the 500 block of West Washington Street. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Police spoke with a witness who was with Soto that night, and he told them Soto met with a man named “Po” to collect money owed to him from selling THC vapes, according to the DA’s office. Investigators identified “Po” as Fermin, the release states.
He had disagreed with how much money was owed, and he fought with the person Soto was with, authorities said. During that fight, Fermin took out a handgun and fired at least two shots, which hit Soto, who was standing nearby, according to the DA’s office.
Fermin was arrested two days later.
He was 17 at the time of his arrest, but was charged as an adult. He remains in Lehigh County Jail without bail.