Mahanoy teen charged in Hazle Twp. shooting
HAZLE TOWNSHIP – A Mahanoy City teen is facing criminal homicide charges days shy of his 18th birthday in connection with a shooting in this Luzerne County township.
State Police at Hazleton said a teen was arrested and charged yesterday for the shooting Friday afternoon.
Troopers said the teen was committed to Luzerne County Prison with no bail. Bail is not permitted in a criminal homicide case in Pennsylvania.
The shooting happened on East 23rd Street between Route 309 and Route 940 around 5pm, in which multiple people were shot.
While troopers did not release the name of the teen arrested, court records available online show Ismael Valdez Batista, 17, of Mahanoy City, is facing criminal homicide and aggravated assault charges for an incident in Hazle Township on April 15.
Batista, who turns 18 on April 30, is being charged as an adult.
Troopers said the investigation is ongoing and the incident appears to be isolated, with no danger to the community present.
Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police at Hazleton at 570-459-3890.
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