READING, Pa. – A 16-year-old boy was killed in a shooting Saturday night in Reading, and another 16-year-old has been charged in connection with his death.<\/p>\n
Officials identified the suspect as Daniel Cruz Jr. of Reading. He is facing charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and possession of an instrument of crime with intent, according to officials.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to the police criminal complaint, Reading police responded to the 1000 block of Windsor Street at approximately 11:32 p.m. on Saturday after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired and a person shot in the back.<\/p>\n
Upon arrival, officers found the juvenile victim inside a home on the 1000 block of Windsor Street suffering from a gunshot wound to his back, according to court documents. He was rushed to Reading Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:49 p.m, officials said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Investigators learned the victim had been attending a family member’s party when a dispute erupted in the rear alleyway on Market Place, authorities said.<\/p>\n
Witnesses told police that a white car, driven by the suspect’s father, Daniel Cruz Sr., had struck a metal cabinet that was blocking the alley.<\/p>\n
According to the affidavit, Cruz Sr. allegedly began pounding on the garage door of the home and got into a verbal altercation with party attendees about garbage in the alleyway, the affidavit said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The argument escalated into a physical fight. Multiple witnesses reported hearing Cruz Sr. tell his son to go back to their house and get a gun, the criminal complaint said. One witness told police they saw Cruz Jr. running up the alley holding a gun in the air, according to officials.<\/p>\n
Investigators say two shots were fired into the air before a third shot was fired directly at the group gathered by the garage door, the affidavit details.<\/p>\n
Witnesses told police the victim was shot in the back while attempting to break up the argument.<\/p>\n
Following the gunfire, Cruz Sr. allegedly tried to flee in the white car, but the vehicle failed to start, officials said. He and Cruz Jr. then fled on foot down the alley toward a home in the 800 block of North 10th Street, authorities said.<\/p>\n
Responding officers surrounded the North 10th Street home after witnesses pointed out where the suspect had run.<\/p>\n
Police reported seeing a third-floor light turn on, and family members inside the home told officers that Cruz Jr. was changing his clothes and would be out shortly. Cruz Jr. eventually exited the home and was taken into custody.<\/p>\n
During police interviews, Cruz Sr. acknowledged being involved in a physical altercation with several people attacking him but claimed he told his son to leave the area, did not see who the shooter was, and only heard a gunshot or fireworks before fleeing to his house, according to the affidavit.<\/p>\n
An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.<\/p>\n