Two men will face trial for their alleged involvement in a shooting that left a man dead last year at an Allentown park.
A district judge Wednesday determined there was enough evidence for Alfeni Romero-Tavares and Joel Garcia-Paulino, both of Allentown, to proceed to trial on charges alleging they were involved in the June 1, 2024 killing of Angel Martinez-Velez, according to District Attorney Gavin Holihan.
Romero-Tavares, and Garcia-Paulino, both 23, are charged with homicide, conspiracy to commit that offense and tampering with evidence. The two men are among five people charged in the shooting of Martinez-Velez, 25, at Fountain Park
Two men already have been convicted in the case: Carlos Landesta-Agramonte, 20, of Allentown, was sentenced last week to 20 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to third-degree murder in the case. Grelvis Estevez Cabrera, 29, of Bethlehem, was convicted on homicide and related charges in October. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
Wilmer E. Marte-Tavarez, 23, of Lords Valley, Pike County, also is charged and is awaiting trial.
Authorities said Romero-Tavares was one of the gunmen. The suspects fled in two different vehicles, according to detectives, who seized those vehicles. Detectives discovered clothing and masks that matched the description given by witnesses to the shooting, authorities said
A witness told police that prior to the shooting, several people at an apartment had discussed shooting Martinez-Velez, and that Romero-Tavares was the one who shot him, police said. Investigators found Romero-Tavares’ DNA on the mask and clothes discovered in the investigation, court documents state.
Romero-Tavares, Garcia-Paulino and Marte-Tavarez are all in Lehigh County Jail without bail.