Bethlehem teen accused of shooting in custody, police say | Lehigh Valley Regional News

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bethlehem police said a teenage suspect in a shooting near an elementary school was taken into custody.

After Thursday night's shooting, a man was fighting for his life.

Police told 69 News they believe this was a targeted incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Neighbors who said they were worried while the suspect was at large all day Thursday told us they would sleep much better when they learned of his arrest.

Many neighbors spoke to 69 News on condition of anonymity.

“We hear that, pow, pow,” said one resident.

Some neighbors heard the gunshots, followed by what they called a huge police presence at Governor Wolf Elementary School Thursday night.

“It was just unbelievable how many police cars came here so quickly last night,” said a neighbor. “When I saw the way the police were acting and just screaming and describing what the suspect looked like.”

According to the Northampton County District Attorney's Office, a 17-year-old is charged in the shooting death of a man who is currently hospitalized in critical condition.

“It's still very scary because he's still at large,” a neighbor said. “That doesn't happen here. It’s a really quiet area.”

“It just leaves a little uncertainty,” said another. “Definitely rattling.”

It happened on Butztown Road in Bethlehem before 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Several neighbors heard police say the suspect ran behind the school.

“And we got really scared when we realized someone was running through our neighborhood with a gun,” a neighbor said.

In a statement, the Bethlehem Area School District said, “The school was not involved in the shooting.” But Governor Wolf Elementary School remained closed all day Friday so police could conduct the investigation.

The teenager Gianni Santini is accused of attempted murder and robbery, among other things.

According to Santini's court filing, the 17-year-old is being charged as an adult. The prosecutor says this is due to “the nature of the charge and the use of a deadly weapon.”

“Oh no, I obviously stayed awake for hours,” a neighbor told 69 News. “I was awake until 2am. The police were still here after two o’clock.”

The DA's office added: “The actual circumstances of the shooting are known to police and the shooting was not a random act.”

Neighbors tell 69 News that based on their observations, they don't believe the suspect or victims are from their neighborhood.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Bethlehem Police at 610-865-7000 or [email protected]. Anonymous information can also be provided through our Tip Line at 610-691-6660.