A violent altercation at a Sunoco gas station on Spring Street in Reading on Tuesday afternoon has left one person hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds and another in police custody.
The Reading Police Department responded to reports of a fight involving gunfire at approximately 1:20 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene at 719 Spring Street, officers learned that an adult victim had already been transported to Reading Hospital for treatment. The victim’s current condition is unknown.
According to a preliminary investigation, the incident began as a fight between two adult males. During the altercation, one individual pulled out a firearm. The victim, who attempted to intervene to prevent the suspect from shooting the other male, was shot multiple times. All parties fled the scene before officers arrived.
Police identified the shooting suspect as Vladimir Vargas-Perez, 21, of Reading. He was apprehended in Muhlenberg Township with the assistance of the Muhlenberg Police Department. Vargas-Perez faces several charges, including aggravated assault, simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime, and receiving stolen property. He is currently awaiting arraignment.
The Reading Police Department is asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Witnesses can contact the department directly at 610-655-6116 or submit anonymous tips to Berks Crime Alert at 1-877-373-9913.
