READING, Pa. – The Berks County Coroner has identified the person who was shot in Reading Sunday by a man who attempted to flee the country after the shooting.
“On August 2, 2026, Reading police officers were detailed to 1407 N. 5th Street at approximately 3:40 am for a report of a shooting,” says Sgt. Trevor Atkins with the Reading Police Department.
Police say they’ve responded to the address before for calls about noise and similar complaints. They say they believe it was being used as an after-hours spot.
“Upon arrival officers observed that the location had pool tables and alcoholic beverages inside the location,” says Atkins.
They also found 32-year-old Luis Daniel Torres Jr., of Reading, who had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Following an autopsy on Monday, the coroner determined the cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death as homicide.
“Investigators obtained video footage that showed an altercation between the victim and the suspect and that led to the victim pushing the suspect,” says Atkins. “The suspect fell to the ground and got up and immediately drew a weapon and fired very close range at the victim and the victim collapsed.”
The suspect was identified as 43-year-old Federico Perez Polanco; police say he took off immediately after the shooting.
They say they tracked a vehicle driven by Perez Polanco leaving Reading and later in New Jersey.
“He actually had a booked flight for this morning and then as we were getting paperwork signed, we had been notified that he booked a flight for last night at 7pm,” says Atkins.
Investigators in a number of agencies worked together. They say they arrested Perez Polanco as he was waiting to board a flight to the Dominican Republic, though say the suspect was a legal resident of Reading.
He was taken into custody Sunday night. Police say now they’re focusing on gathering background information about what led up to the shooting.
“It was very intense to try to get him into custody before he got on that plane,” says Atkins.
Reading Mayor Eddie Moran praised the quick work. “We have a police force that is ready, willing and able to do everything possible to bring justice to any particular crime.”
The suspect is currently in custody in New Jersey, awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania.