Update – 9/12/25: Both suspects in the August 12, 2025, shooting near The Works are now in custody. Ethan Z. Arce surrendered on September 2 and was committed to Berks County Prison on $75,000 bail. The second suspect, Ethan S. Gonzalez, turned himself in on September 12 and was denied bail.
Original post: A juvenile male was injured in a shooting Tuesday evening near Bern Road in Wyomissing, prompting a large multi-agency search for the suspects.
According to Wyomissing Police, officers were dispatched to the rear of 1037 Bern Road around 5:20 p.m. on August 12 for a report of shots fired. When they arrived, they found the juvenile with a gunshot wound to the leg. Officers provided first aid until Western Berks Ambulance personnel arrived, and the victim was transported to Reading Hospital. Police said he is expected to recover.
The victim told investigators he and two friends had just left The Works, located at 1109 Bern Road, when they were approached by two unidentified individuals. An altercation followed, during which the victim was shot.
A coordinated search involving Wyomissing, West Reading, Spring Township, Exeter, Cumru, and Reading police departments, along with the Pennsylvania State Police, was conducted in the area. Authorities used a PSP helicopter and an Exeter Police drone during the search, and train traffic nearby was temporarily halted so railroad tracks could be examined. The suspects were not located.
Police said they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public but are asking for help identifying and locating the suspects.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wyomissing Police Department at 610-375-6102, submit a tip via the department’s CrimeWatch page, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Alert Berks by calling 1-877-373-9913 or texting 847411 with the keyword ALERTBERKS, followed by the message. The incident reference ID is 39-25-5544.
