Man found guilty of shooting, killing 39-year-old who was sitting on front porch in Allentown | State

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A jury found a man guilty of shooting and killing a 39-year-old who was sitting on the front porch of a home in Allentown.

Hector Martinez, 27, of Allentown, was convicted Thursday night of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm without a license, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

The DA’s office said Martinez will face a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. He will be formally sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18 before Judge Robert L Steinberg, according to the news release.

Just before 10:40 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2024, Allentown Police were sent to the 500 block of West Liberty Street for a report of a shooting, the DA’s office said.

The DA’s office said 39-year-old Terrence Brunson was brought to an area hospital where he later died.

Brunson’s death was due to a gunshot wound to the chest and his death was ruled a homicide by Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio, according to the DA’s office.

Witnesses told police Brunson was sitting on the front porch of the West Liberty Street home when he was shot by a man wearing a face cover, according to the news release.

After the shooting, Martinez ran away from the area and returned to his home, authorities said.