The Reading Police Department is investigating a homicide after what was initially believed to be a fatal car accident that took place at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 20, in the 700 block of Schuylkill Avenue.
According to police, officers arrived at the scene to find a vehicle with severe front-end damage that had collided with a parked vehicle.
Reading Fire and Emergency Medical Services were also dispatched to the scene to provide immediate assistance. The sole occupant of the vehicle was treated at the scene and subsequently transported to Reading Hospital.
Unfortunately, despite the efforts of first responders and medical staff, the victim was pronounced dead at Reading Hospital.
An autopsy conducted on Thursday, September 21, revealed the cause of death to be a homicide. The autopsy findings indicate a single gunshot wound to the victim’s chest as the fatal injury.
The victim has been identified by authorities as 27-year-old Jorge Pizarro Mercedes.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information pertaining to this case should contact the Reading Police Department at (610)-655-6116 or Crime Alert Berks County at 877-373-9913.
