READING, Pa. – A Reading man who attempted to flee the country following a deadly shooting on August 2 is back in Berks County and locked up in the County Jail.
According to officials, Federico Perez Polanco tried to leave the US after he shot and killed 32-year-old Luis Daniel Torres, Junior.
Authorities say the shooting happened at the 1400 block of North Fifth Street around 3:40 a.m. on August 2nd. Upon arrival, police found Torres with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following an autopsy, 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 Sgt. Trevor Atkins with the Reading Police Department.
“The suspect fell to the ground and got up and immediately drew a weapon and fired in very close range at the victim, and the victim collapsed,” Atkins added.
Police say following the shooting, Perez Polanco fled to New Jersey and booked a flight to the Dominican Republic that was scheduled to depart on Sunday night.
Investigators in a number of agencies worked together. They say they arrested Polanco as he was waiting to board the plane.
Polanco’s charges include homicide, aggravated assault, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and more.
He’s due back in court for a preliminary hearing later this month.