A teenager was killed and two other people were injured in a shooting Saturday evening on an Allentown street.
Allentown Police Capt. Christopher Diehl said the incident occurred just after 10 p.m. at North Jay and East North streets. Investigators found three people suffering from gunshot wounds, he said.
All three were taken to area hospitals for treatment.
Ja’meer D. Roberts, 17, of Allentown, was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg in Bethlehem at 11:31 p.m. Saturday, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office said.
The teen died from gunshot injuries and the death was ruled a homicide by Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio.
“On behalf of the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, I extend our deepest condolences to Ja’meer’s family, friends, loved ones and all those affected by this tragic loss,” Buglio said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Allentown community as they mourn and navigate the difficult days ahead.”
The conditions of the other two victims were unavailable Monday morning. Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan told lehighvalleylive.com no suspects were in custody and the investigation remains ongoing.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk released a statement on the Allentown Police Department’s Facebook page, saying the city needs to do better to combat gun violence.
“Among the great tragedies of our time is that so many guns find their way into the hands of so many young people so easily,” the mayor said. “This was a person not even 18 years old … a boy … a child … who had his whole life ahead of him.”
“… We have to stop the flow of guns into the hands of young people,” he added.
The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, Allentown police, and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate.
Witnesses are being sought. Those who have information about the incident are asked to call the Allentown Police Department at 610-437-7721 or the police desk at 610-437-7753, Ext. 1.
Additionally, anonymous text tips can be sent via the Tip411 app available on the department’s Facebook page or via the Allentown Police Department website.