The Reading Police Department is investigating three shootings that have occurred in less than 24 hours, leaving one person dead and two other injured as of Saturday morning.
The first shooting occurred on July 21, 2023 around 2:308pm near South 6th and Cherry Streets. According to police, officers located Ellis Garman Sr, a 44-year-old male, in his vehicle with a gunshot wound. He was transported to Reading Hospital for treatment. He succumbed to his wounds at the hospital. Investigators identified Vincent Sanchez as the shooter. A warrant has been issued for his arrest relative to this shooting.
Later that night around 10:30pm, Reading Police and the Berks County Emergency Response Team obtained a search warrant for a home in the 100 block of South 8th Street, in an attempted to arrest the suspected shooter for homicide. After a thorough check, police say the suspect was not located.
The second shooting took place on July 22, 2023, at approximately 3am in the 1700 block of Pear Street. Police initially responded for shots fired. At the scene, officers located five shell casings and a projectile. Moments later police received a call from Reading Hospital regarding a 38-year-old black male with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Investigators say the shooting victim is from Norristown, and when questioned by police, he was uncooperative.
The third shooting occurred on July 22, 2023, at approximately 6am in the 100 block of South 8th Street. Investigators say a white male was shot in the neck and was responsive, but uncooperative with police. The victim was taken to Reading Hospital and is in stable condition at this time. Police added that the victim was also wanted by the Sheriff’s Department for failure to appear on drug charges.
Police say all three investigations are on-going. Anyone with information is asked to contact Reading Police at 610-655-6116 or anonymously with Crime Alert Berks at 877-373-9913.
