ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Gunfire at the East Side Youth Center that resulted in four people being shot happened in one of the gymnasiums during a basketball game, according to a neighborhood outreach group and people who frequent the center.
Allentown police have been mum on details since the shooting happened in the evening of New Year’s Day.
- Four people were shot Sunday night in Allentown
- Police have released few details and did not specify gunfire happened indoors
- Investigators continue to seek information and witnesses
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley has been reaching out to victims and their families to offer counseling and support, said Jeani Garcia, director of operations.
She deferred comment on the circumstances of the shooting to police but said she believes someone was targeted.
“We’d like to offer some support and we want to make sure there’s no retaliation,” she said. “We want to mediate with both sides. We want to figure out what went wrong. There’s a lot that took place.
“It’s traumatizing. People were shooting and innocent people were hit.”
“It’s like they don’t know how to handle conflict anymore unless there’s a gun involved."Jeani Garcia, Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley
Police said they were called to the 1100 block of East Clair Street —that's where the center is located — about 9:15 p.m. Sunday. There they found one man suffering from gunshot wounds; three other people who were shot sought treatment on their own at a local hospital.
Media Release: Shooting Investigation#AllentownPolice pic.twitter.com/vovurapasg
— Allentown PD (@AllentownPolice) January 2, 2023
Police did not mention the youth center or indicate that the shooting happened indoors. They said they had no updates Tuesday.
"It is an active and ongoing investigation," said police Capt. Kyle Pammer.
On Tuesday morning, the youth center doors were locked as folks played pickleball inside. Organizers locked the doors and asked players to call or text ahead to be let in. It was a response to what happened two nights earlier.
A sign on the front doors said basketball court rentals would be unavailable until further notice "due to police incident."
People who frequent the center said they were upset the shooting may stain the facility’s reputation as a community recreation option and a safe place to be.
The center is operated by a nonprofit group run entirely by volunteers. President Joe D’Annibale said he couldn’t comment on what happened.
“We were told to say nothing from the police department until the investigation is completed,” he said.
Promise Neighborhood’s Garcia described the people involved in the shooting as young adults.
“It’s like they don’t know how to handle conflict anymore unless there’s a gun involved,” she said. “It’s horrible.”
Police are asking anyone with information to call city detectives at 610-437-7721 or the police desk at 610-437-7753, Ext. 1. Anonymous tips are also accepted through the Tip411 app on the Allentown police Facebook account or on the Allentown Police Department website.
