The Reading Police Department Criminal Investigations Division has announced they have arrested two suspects in connection to the Homicide Investigation that occurred on July 10, 2024 in City Park.
At approximately 9:30 pm officers responded to the area of City Park, 1100 block Washington St, for the report of a shooting. Officers arrived and found an adult male victim identified as 19-year-old Rafael Tinoco-Villagomez with a gunshot wound to the back. Tinoco-Villagomez was transported to Reading Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that there was a gathering that had been advertised on social media that marijuana had been hidden at City Park. Police say Tinoco-Villagomez attended this gathering and from witness statements it was learned that Tinoco-Villagomez had located the marijuana and was being chased by two males prior to being shot in the back.
The males were identified as 18-years-old Luis Rios and 16-years-old Jasir Escoto. Both Rios and Escoto were taken into custody and charged with 2nd degree Murder, 3rd degree Murder, Robbery, conspiracy of 2nd and 3rd degree Murder and Robbery and firearms related charges.
Anyone with additional information relative to this incident is asked to call Reading Police Department at 610-655-6116 or contact Crime Alert Berks at 877-373-9913.
