SCRANTON, PA — A Lackawanna County man is facing multiple criminal charges after investigators linked him to a stolen firearm used in the deadly shooting of a teenager last month. Scranton Police announced the arrest of 19-year-old Joseph Barbarino, of Dickson City, following a month-long investigation into the death of 16-year-old Dylan Smith.
The incident dates back to mid-December, when officers were called to a residence on the 1300 block of Bryn Mawr Street in West Scranton. Upon arrival, they discovered Smith suffering from a gunshot wound; he was transported to a local hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries. At the time of the shooting, investigators determined that the handgun involved had been reported stolen from Archbald roughly two weeks prior to the fatal encounter.
Barbarino has been charged with receiving stolen property, the illegal sale of a firearm, and related offenses. While a juvenile was previously detained on charges of firearm possession by a minor immediately following the shooting, Scranton detectives have continued to trace the chain of custody for the weapon. Barbarino’s arrest marks a significant step in that process as police work to determine how the stolen gun ended up in the hands of the teenagers.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting itself remains active, and authorities have not yet clarified if additional homicide-related charges will be filed. Scranton Police are urging anyone with information about the case or the illegal distribution of the firearm to contact their headquarters at 570-348-4130 or submit a tip through their official department channels.
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