It happened at 6:30 p.m. near Church and Douglass Streets.
Witnesses said it was a horrific scene as a man ran up to the victim, slashed his throat, then ran off.
A friend of the victim chased the killer, but he got away.
Police have not identified a suspect or motive in the crime.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Alert Berks County at 877-373-9913.