Photo courtesy of Berks County District Attorney
READING, Pa. – A Berks County man has been sentenced in a 2023 fatal shooting that took the life of a 58-year-old woman.
Jeremiah Santiago of Cumru Twp. was sentenced Monday morning to 23½-47 years, followed by five years’ probation, according to a social media post from the Berks County District Attorney.
This sentencing follows last month’s conviction of third-degree murder and related charges, officials say.
According to police, the incident occurred just before midnight on August 3, 2023, at S. 10th Street in Reading. Resident Tina Grier was shot in the face after a bullet went into the front bedroom of a first-floor apartment.
Grier died on October 31, 2023. Officials say an autopsy determined her death was due to complications from the gunshot wound.
During the investigation, authorities found evidence that the shots came from outside the residence, and police recovered nine shell casings from the sidewalk.
Police say Santiago was seen in the area while police were investigating the following day, and agreed to speak to authorities.
Through video surveillance, investigators determined that Santiago and another man were involved in the incident.
According to court documents, during a call to an inmate at Berks County Jail three days after the shooting, Santiago allegedly discussed the incident and admitted he “hit an innocent bystander.”
Santiago was arrested several months later.