ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A 17-year-old Allentown resident has been charged as an adult with criminal homicide in the shooting death of another teenager, authorities announced Saturday.
Yaniel Fermin was taken into custody less than 24 hours after the Thursday night shooting that killed Jeomy Miguel Soto, 19, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca.
Officers responded to the 500 block of West Washington Street around 9:16 p.m. Thursday for a report of a man shot behind a residence. They found Soto suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Muhlenberg, where he was pronounced dead at 9:50 p.m.
An autopsy Friday at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death was gunshot wounds. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
A witness told investigators he was with Soto when they met with a man known as “Po” to collect money owed from the sale of THC vapes, according to authorities. Police later identified “Po” as Fermin.
A dispute over the money led to a fight between Fermin and the witness, authorities said. During the altercation, Fermin fired at least two shots from a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, striking Soto, who was standing nearby.
Fermin was detained Friday after Allentown patrol officers stopped a vehicle near 6th and West Cedar streets with him as a passenger.
Police found THC vapes, a large quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, leading to drug charges. He was in custody by approximately 12:30 p.m., and the homicide investigation continued.
Homicide charges were filed Saturday, and Fermin was arraigned at 1:22 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Derek A. Kirsopp. He is being held without bail at Lehigh County Jail.
Fermin faces charges of criminal homicide, possession of a firearm by a minor and possession with intent to deliver.
The Lehigh County Public Defender’s Office has been assigned to represent him. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Jan. 30 before Judge Kirsopp.
Under Pennsylvania law, juveniles charged with criminal homicide are automatically prosecuted in adult court, regardless of age. Defense attorneys may later petition to have cases transferred to juvenile court through a process called decertification.
Officials said they believe there is no continuing threat to the community. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Allentown Police Department.
Fermin is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Jai Smith is a lifetime Lehigh Valley resident on a mission to empower local underserved communities and inform the public while providing journalists and storytellers a platform to develop the next generation of news media.