News

June 2, 2009

Man dies in shooting; second person injured

By Ed Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Ed Lewis on Facebook   |   @TLEdLewis on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE - Officials have ruled the shooting death of 38-year-old Joseph Benson a homicide, Luzerne County Coroner John P. Corcoran confirmed tonight.

The deadly shooting is the 12th confirmed homicide in Luzerne County and eighth in the city since the beginning of this year.

An autopsy was completed tonight by forensic pathologist Dr. Gary Ross at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Benson died from multiple gunshot wounds, Corcoran said.

No suspects have been named and no charges have been filed.

POSTED 8:55 p.m.

WILKES-BARRE - An autopsy is scheduled for tonight on a man who died after a shooting at a North Washington Street tavern early Tuesday morning.

Luzerne County Coroner John Corcoran identified the man as Joseph Benson, 38, of North Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre.

Benson was shot at Liam's, near East Chestnut and Clyde Lane, in the city's North End section at about 1:25 a.m. He was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, where he died shortly after 2 a.m., Corcoran said.

An employee at the tavern, Christopher Krisanda, 40, of Ben Salem, was also shot and being treated at Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said.

Musto Carroll said Krisanda suffered non-life threatening injuries.

An autopsy is set for 6 p.m. at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

POSTED 12:41 p.m.

WILKES-BARRE - A city man died as a result of a shooting outside a North Washington Street tavern early Tuesday morning.

Luzerne County Coroner John Corcoran identified the man as Joseph Benson, 38, of North Washington Street.

Benson died at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

Benson was one of two people shot outside Liam's, near East Chestnut and Clyde Lane, in the city's North end section at about 1:25 a.m., police said.

The second person injured in the shooting was taken to an area hospital. His name hasn't been released, but District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said the injuries are non-life threatening.

An autopsy is set for 6 p.m. at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Musto Carroll said the investigation is continuing by city police, county detectives and state police Forensic Services Unit.

"It's not a bad neighborhood," said Bill Monroe, 35, of North Washington Street. "There's no trouble around here. Even with the bar, there's no trouble there. It's not a nuisance bar.

POSTED 10:58 a.m.

WILKES-BARRE - A person has died as a result of a shooting outside a North Washington Street tavern early Tuesday morning, police said.

Police said two people were shot outside Liam's, near Pennsylvania Avenue and Johnson Street, at about 1:25 a.m.

Police didn't release the name of the person who died.

Check back for details as they become available.

POSTED 9:30 a.m.

WILKES-BARRE - Two people were shot outside a North Washington Street tavern early Tuesday morning, police said.

Police said the shooting in front of Liam's was reported at about 1:25 a.m. Two people were taken to an area hospital.

Police said the investigation is continuing.

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