Allentown Triple Homicide: 1-Year-Old Boy and Woman Killed, Six Others Injured

(ALLENTOWN, Pa.) — A tragic incident unfolded in Allentown, Pennsylvania, over the weekend, as a series of unrelated shootings resulted in the deaths of a 1-year-old boy and a woman. Additionally, six other individuals sustained gunshot wounds during the violent outburst, according to local law enforcement authorities.

The appalling slaying of the 1-year-old child further highlights the distressing reality of gun violence in the United States. Shockingly, the Gun Violence Archive, a website dedicated to tracking shootings nationwide, revealed that this heartbreaking incident marked the 295th child aged 11 years or younger killed in shootings in 2023.

Over the course of Friday night and into the early hours of Saturday morning, Allentown experienced a string of shootings, leaving residents shaken and authorities searching for answers. Captain Daniel Gross of the Allentown Police Department reported that at least three separate shootings occurred during this violent spree.

The first shooting incident was reported at approximately 8:42 p.m. on Friday in the northeast section of Allentown. Responding officers discovered three victims at the scene, including the 1-year-old boy and two adults, all suffering from gunshot wounds. Tragically, both the child and a 44-year-old woman succumbed to their injuries after being rushed to nearby hospitals. A 66-year-old man, also wounded in the same incident, remains in critical condition.

Lehigh County Coroner Dan A. Buglio, speaking to local news outlet LehighValleyLive.com, revealed that the woman killed in this triple shooting was the grandmother of the deceased toddler. The names of the victims have not been released, pending further investigation.

Law enforcement officials have yet to make any arrests in connection with the shootings and are actively working to determine the motive behind these tragic events.

As authorities were in the process of investigating the triple shooting, another burst of gunfire occurred at approximately 9 p.m. in a different area of Allentown. Two adults, a man and a woman, were found on the street with gunshot wounds and were immediately rushed to a hospital in serious condition. Officers responded swiftly to the scene and successfully apprehended a suspect identified as Demitrius Bashir Campbell, a 23-year-old resident of Allentown.

Police spokesperson Captain Daniel Gross stated, “Based on the subsequent investigation, it was determined that this actor and an unidentified co-conspirator fired several rounds at the victims, striking them.” While Campbell is now in custody, the second suspect remains at large.

Campbell currently faces charges including attempted homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, aggravated assault (two counts), recklessly endangering, and carrying a firearm without a license. He has been booked at Lehigh County Jail.

At approximately 2:25 a.m. on Saturday, yet another shooting occurred in northeast Allentown. Three additional individuals sustained gunshot wounds, with one victim found at the scene and two others arriving at a hospital later. Thankfully, all three victims are expected to survive. No arrests have been made in connection with this particular shooting as of yet.

While all three shootings took place within close proximity to one another, Captain Daniel Gross clarified that no evidence has been found linking them. Authorities continue to investigate these incidents and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The devastating events of that night have left the community reeling, prompting state Representative Josh Siegel to issue a statement expressing his sorrow and frustration. He said, “I awoke this morning like many members of our community, sickened, angry and heartbroken over another night of senseless violence in our city. I offer my sincerest condolences to the families afflicted by last night’s shootings, and I stand with the many Allentonians who are tired of watching their neighborhoods and streets be stained with the blood of gun violence.

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