ALLENTOWN, PA — A 14-year-old male was arrested Friday afternoon after allegedly firing a handgun at two other juveniles during an incident in Allentown, according to police.
The Allentown Police Department said the shooting occurred Thursday around 3:00 p.m. in the area of North 15th Street and Turner Street. Officers responding to the scene found shell casings in the roadway but reported no injuries or property damage.
Key Points
- A 14-year-old boy was arrested after allegedly firing a handgun at two teens.
- The incident occurred near North 15th and Turner Streets on Thursday afternoon.
- The suspect faces charges including aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a minor.
Investigation aided by city and private surveillance footage
Police said video surveillance from city pole cameras and privately owned security systems captured a group of juveniles in the area of North 15th and Newton Street. Footage showed one juvenile male firing a handgun in the direction of two other juveniles who had separated from the group.
Witnesses and 9-1-1 callers initially reported several juveniles in the area, some appearing to be armed. Officers quickly secured the scene, collecting multiple shell casings as evidence.
No injuries were reported, and no property appeared to be damaged during the incident. Authorities stressed that quick investigative work helped identify the suspect.
Youth Detective Laurance Harris of the Criminal Investigations Division obtained an arrest warrant for the 14-year-old suspect on Friday.
Juvenile charged with multiple offenses in shooting incident
The teenager faces several charges, including aggravated assault, a felony of the first degree, and multiple misdemeanors: carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm by a minor, and recklessly endangering another person.
According to police, the 14-year-old surrendered to investigators at the Allentown Police Department without incident on Friday afternoon. The name of the juvenile has not been released due to age restrictions under Pennsylvania law.
Authorities have not indicated whether additional arrests are expected in connection with the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no further details have been released by the Allentown Police Department as of Saturday.
Police highlight importance of surveillance technology in swift arrest
Officials credited the rapid arrest to the combination of witness cooperation, surveillance footage, and the coordinated efforts of patrol officers, school resource officers, and detectives.
The incident has raised renewed attention to juvenile access to firearms and community safety concerns in Allentown.
A teen with a gun sparked chaos in Allentown, but fast police work brought a swift and safe resolution.