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Police make third arrest in shooting death of Reading teen | Reading corner
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Police make third arrest in shooting death of Reading teen | Reading corner

READING, Pa. – A 17-year-old is behind bars in connection with the shooting death of a Reading teen earlier this year.

“This is another crime committed that is completely and utterly senseless,” said Berks County Prosecutor John Adams.

Investigators say Gavin Will, 17, Luis Santos-Cruz, 19, and his brother Jonielle Cruz, 17, were among the shooters in a gunfight that left 19-year-old dead. Elder Christian Disla on April 1 in the 1300 block of Muhlenberg Street.

Disla, who police said was not the intended target, was found dead behind a residence.

“Gavin was arrested today at Thomas Ford School, where he attends classes,” Adam said. “He was one of the shooters. As a result, he has been charged with murder as an adult and will face prosecution in the adult system.”

The prosecutor said evidence found at the scene led to the arrest.

“Amazing – the flashbacks and the video evidence obtained from various businesses in the vicinity of this shooting. The cell phone, the ballistics. Great work by the Reading Police,” Adams said.

Luis Santos-Cruz was arrested in New York late last month by US Marshals.

“He will be extradited to Pennsylvania in the very near future,” Adams said.







Luis Santos-Cruz

Luis Santos-Cruz




And her brother, Jonielle Cruz, was arrested in June and is currently behind bars in the Berks County Jail. He is charged as an adult.







Jonielle Cruz

Jonielle Cruz


Will, who was denied bail, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on November 22.

“It was a fight over nothing,” Adams said. “It’s really an example of a certain stupidity of youth.

Adams has a clear message:

“This, again, should remind parents, young people in our city, that number one, they should not have guns. Number two, when they pull the trigger, not only can a life be lost, but they , as the person who pulls this trigger, his life will be lost.”

Adams says he’s glad all three suspects are now behind bars.