Teen Arrested in Shooting In Hazleton

Yesterday at approximately 6:45pm, Hazleton City Police responded to the area of 2nd Street and Grant Street for a report of shots fired.  Upon their arrival, they determined that 16 year old Deivy Toribio had an onging dispute with one of two males at that location.  

During a verbal confrontation, Toribio produced a handgun that he had concealed in his waistband and aimed and fired one shot at the victim.  The bullet missed the intended victim.  Toribio then fired at least four other bullets into the victim's unoccupied vehicle.

Investigation immediately commenced and at approximately 11PM, numerous units responded to the 500 Block of West Maple and while attempting to effect an arrest on Toribo, a male in the apartment where Toribio lived dropped a backpack from a second story window onto the concrete sidewalk below.

Hazleton City Police Chief Speziale retrieved the backpack as the building search was unfolding, which contained two handguns.  A search warrant will be obtained through Detective Sergeant Rodick to enter the backpack and search through it's entire contents.

Based on investigation and information, upon securing the scene at the above location, Hazleton Police, West Hazleton and PSP Hazleton responded to an apartment in the 800 block of West Diamond Avenue where Toribio was subsequently arrested and taken into custody at approximately 12AM, without incident.

​Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Matthew Muckler approved the following charges for Deivy Toribio:

Aggravated Assault, one count each of a Felony One and a Felony (2)

Firearms Not to be carried Without a License, one count Felony (3)

Simple Assault, two counts Misdemeanor (2)

Reckless Endangerment, one count, Misdemeanor (2)
 
Assisting HPD Officers was West Hazleton Boro and Troopers from The Hazleton Troope N Barracks.

Any witnesses to this crime are encouraged to call Hazleton Detective Sgt. David M. Rodick at 570-459-4954.

STATEMENT:

"We will utilize every available option and strategy in making a safer Hazleton"

Read more on Hazleton's new program to combat shootings here