2 men shot to death in Allentown ID'd

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- The second man killed in a noontime shooting at an intersection in the eastern Pennsylvania city of Allentown has been identified.

The Lehigh County coroner's office said 24-year-old Keith Minick died of gunshot wounds to the body, and his death was ruled a homicide.

Twenty-eight-year-old Richard Vera Jr. was the other person killed in the gunfire reported shortly after noon Tuesday. Both victims were pronounced dead less than two hours later at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest.

Police chief Glen Dorney said two other men were seen running from the area, and both victims were apparently on foot when they were shot.

"He was a person you would like to know. He was very special," said Tonda Fair, a friend of Minick.

Fair said that Minick was dating her niece, but he treated all of her relatives like family.

"He was a decent guy. He was loyal to everybody that he knew, even me," she said.

Friends and family are saying much of the same about Richard Vera, Jr.

Anissa Rodriguez, a close family friend, says she couldn't even imagine what the motive might have been.

"That's what nobody understands is why? Why they would do this to somebody who was always happy, always brought joy to you, never wanted to see anybody down," she said.

As Allentown police search for those responsible, Vera's loved ones are remembering a happy-go-lucky young man with a lot to live for.

"He was always happy, he loved to play basketball with his family. He has kids, he has an unborn right now, on the way, and it's just sad," Rodriguez said.

No arrests were immediately announced.

The killings are the 12th and 13th homicides of the year in Allentown.

----------

Send a breaking news alert
Report a correction or typo
Learn more about the 6abc apps