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Philadelphia police issue warrant in fatal North Lawrence Street shooting
Police are seeking Steven Velez-Cruz, 20, in connection with an Oct. 18 shooting in North Philadelphia that killed 34-year-old Louis Soto and wounded four others. Authorities say Velez-Cruz faces murder and other charges and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Philadelphia police say an arrest warrant has been issued for Steven Velez-Cruz, 20, in connection with a shooting on North Lawrence Street that killed one person and wounded four others on Oct. 18.
Velez-Cruz faces charges including murder, conspiracy, attempted murder and aggravated assault, police said Friday, Oct. 23. The charges are allegations; the investigation remains ongoing.
Louis Soto, 34, died after being shot in the chest and back, according to police. A 37-year-old man was shot in the abdomen, and a 31-year-old woman was wounded in her right arm, wrist and left leg. Both were taken to a hospital in stable condition. A 21-year-old woman suffered graze wounds to her head and left arm and was also reported stable. A 35-year-old man later arrived at Temple University Hospital with a gunshot wound to his left arm.
Police consider Velez-Cruz armed and dangerous and urge anyone who sees him to contact authorities immediately. Anyone with information can call the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or the police tip line at 215-686-8477. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
The city offers a $20,000 reward in homicide cases for information leading to an arrest and conviction.