BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — A 17-year-old shot and killed a man after robbing him of marijuana in a drug deal gone bad outside Governor Wolf Elementary School, police said.
Gianni Santini of Bethlehem is charged with homicide and related crimes in the killing of 30-year-old Altaron A. Robinson, of Easton.
Police said Santini shot Robinson in the head after Santini robbed Robinson of $320 worth of marijuana after they had arranged a drug deal over social media and FaceTime. They had never met before, according to police.
They had arranged to meet Thursday night near the school in the 1900 block of Butztown Road, according to court records.
Just before 9:30 p.m., Robinson drove up in a Mercedes-Benz with a 21-year-old woman as his passenger.
Santini, who lives nearby, walked to the car and got in the back seat after Robinson told him to get in, police said.
Santini allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the woman’s head before turning it toward Robinson.
They gave Santini the marijuana in three bags — a brown paper bag, a Louis Vuitton purse and a Coach purse — and he ran from the car, court records say.
Robinson got out of the car and ran after Santini, caught up to him and tackled him. As they wrestled on the ground, the woman said, she heard two gunshots before Santini got up and ran away, according to police.
The woman called 911 and police found two spent 9mm bullet casings and a single live round, police said. They also found a purple perm cap believed to belong to Santini, and glasses.
Police said Santini’s father called police at 10:48 p.m. and said he believed his son had shot someone. Gianni Santini had called his father and said he was involved in a robbery, police said.
Police issued a warrant for Gianni Santini's arrest — he was charged as an adult — and he was arrested a day later.
He is in Northampton County Prison without bail on charges of homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault and two counts of robbery, as well as firearms and weapons offenses.
Bethlehem Area School District closed the school Friday as police investigated.
Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio ruled Robinson died of a gunshot wound to the head. He determined the manner of death to be homicide following an autopsy completed Monday.
