Pocono News Section

Suspect Arrested for Plymouth Murder

Suspect Arrested for Plymouth Murder - Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 9:30PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill & Kyla Campbell
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 @ 09:30pm EST
PLYMOUTH, LUZERNE COUNTY - A 23-year-old man is facing charges in connection with a murder from late Saturday night in Luzerne County.

Martin Green, 23, was charged with one count of criminal homicide on Sunday night.

The murder happened inside an apartment building at 15 1/2 East Shawnee Avenue in Plymouth. Within just 17 hours, the suspect was in custody.

Prosecutors say Green shot-and-killed David Gerson, 44, inside the apartment building. Prosecutors say the two men knew each and Green considered the victim to be a father-like figure. After the murder, they even say he called 911.

"We believe drugs were involved. Again, they did have a relationship with each other so we're still looking into what the motive may have been," Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll said at a news conference Sunday night.

The murder shocked the quiet community of Plymouth. Many neighbors didn't know what happened.

"When the paramedics came, they didn't like go in and stay, they just came in, looked down and went back. That's how we knew somebody was dead," neighbor Rajzheke Sajaadullah said.

"He's been here for a couple months. Nice, nice guy. I don't understand what happened," neighbor Rahfeeqah Sajaadullah said.

Investigators say Green shot Gerson four times. He then tried to stash the gun but it was found by a person in nearly Luzerne borough.

"We understand that a 45-caliber gun was used. There are going to be ballistic tests on that gun to confirm if in fact it was the gun," Musto Carroll said.

Police also say a woman and an infant baby were inside the apartment when the deadly shooting happened. Even though an arrest has been made, the community remains shaken.

"It's a real scary thing to know people are getting killed right next door to you," Rahfeeqah Sajaadullah said.

"I believe that it was a swift arrest because the officers worked in conjunction with each other and they didn't take a break since they got the first call," Musto Carroll said.

Martin Green is locked-up tonight without bail. He faces a preliminary hearing early next month.