Hazleton shooting victim identified

HAZLETON -- Police on Sunday identified the man shot dead over the weekend on a city street and released a description of the suspect in the homicide.

The body of Erick Gwaltney, 34, of Alter Street, was found in the roadway near the intersection of Fourth and Alter streets early Saturday morning.

An autopsy conducted Sunday at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital determined he died from multiple gunshot wounds, said Dan Hughes, deputy Luzerne County coroner.

Police said they are looking for a Hispanic man known as "Ricardo" or "Richard" in connection with the shooting. He is in his 40s, between 5 feet, 7 inches and 5 feet, 8 inches with a stocky build, a dark mustache and dark and slightly graying hair.

Police said the man is known to frequent the Alter Street business district and might do odd jobs for business owners. He owns and rides a white mountain bike.

Police urged anyone with information about the man or the case to contact them through county 911.

District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said police have executed search warrants and interviewed witnesses and others as part of the ongoing investigation.