Pocono News Section

Wilkes-Barre Murder Investigation Continues

Wilkes-Barre Murder Investigation Continues - Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 6:00PM EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Gun shots rang out at 34 South Hancock Street in Wilkes-Barre just before 9:00 Friday night. 22-year-old Donald Spry, Jr. was killed in his second floor apartment.

Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll said, “We believe the incident was isolated to that home and specific to that place and to that person, so I don't believe anyone else is at risk at this point."

Neighbors say they saw the shooter with the gun in his hand, come down the side of the house and down the street when he took off. But one lady tells Eyewitness News she's not surprised.”

That neighbor says the apartment had trouble in the past, including a summer-time fight between the shooting victim and someone else.

“He does have an upcoming case on the January trial list. I believe it was fleeing and eluding the police,” says the D. A..

Neighbors didn't want to go on-camera, but tell us they're concerned about the neighborhood. “Usually this is a pretty quiet neighborhood and we don't have that much trouble around here. But nothing surprises me anymore. It's a shock when it's so close to your home and you have kids,” said one neighbor.

The District Attorney is not releasing any information on the number of gunshots, whether or not the shooting could be drug- or gang-related, or who the suspect could be. “It is an extensive, intensive investigation which has been going on through the night. We do understand there is an awful lot of interest, and rightfully so, but we need to investigate the case, so we can't release any details at this time," she said.

Until it's solved, neighbors say they'll be uneasy. “In the summer time there are kids always playing in the alley, so, you know, it's a concern, really," says one.

In the meantime, city police are keeping an eye on the home. Anyone with information regarding the deadly shooting is asked to call police.

Also, a woman who lives behind the house of the shooting called police Saturday morning to report about $150 in cash and a bag of prescription medicine was stolen from her purse. There’s no word on if the incidents are related.