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HAZLETON — Two people were shot at a city bar late Tuesday, and a suspect was in custody not long after daybreak.
He’s been identified as Randy Escoto, 28, of Hazleton.
Chief Jerry Speziale said Escoto has drug charges pending against him and he’s being held in that case. Police are not yet ready to file charges related to the 11:45 p.m. shootings at the Lucky Charms bar on East Fifth Street between Seybert and Hayes streets.
“The investigation is ongoing and we are continuing to interview witnesses and go through all of the evidence,” said the chief. “And then we will be guided by the DA’s office on the charges.”
Speziale did note the two men who were shot were found inside on the floor and are in “extremely serious condition.” He believed one victim was slated for a second surgery.
He said the victims and Escoto did all know each other.
When officers arrived, they provided aid to the wounded men before they were rushed to the hospital. Patrol units saturated the area near the bar after learning the suspect reportedly left on foot.
Based on interviews with witnesses, Speziale said they identified Escoto as the alleged shooter and later arrived at his residence on West Green Street.
A Special Operations group from the city went inside and arrested him.
“He was sleeping upstairs,” said the chief.
Lucky Charms, formerly known as the Sports Page, is located near Most Precious Blood church.
“There were quite a few people in the bar and that’s why we are methodically sifting through this,” Speziale explained.
About an hour after gunfire, a city officer with an assault rifle was standing guard on the street outside the bar as people in the upper floor of a neighboring home stuck their heads out windows to see what was happening.
At one point, an officer was seen going inside the bar with a paper bag as other law enforcement went in and out.
Police also appeared to briefly look through some folded cardboard boxes next to Lucky Charms.
Eight to 10 police cruisers, including state police and West Hazleton, were at the scene by about 1 a.m. and roughly a two-block area was cordoned off as officers continued to investigate.