LIBERTY, Pa. (WETM) – Police have released more details about the arrest of two people involved in the deadly shooting in Tioga County, Pennsylvania over the weekend, saying the Buffalo man was shot during a custody transition of his two-year life -old child.
Leonardo Pagan Acevedo, 33, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Denissa Alvarez-Matias, 32, of York, Pennsylvania were arrested today, August 29, 2022, following an investigation conducted by PSP. According to the criminal complaint filed against Alvarez-Matias, she was the victim’s estranged wife, 31-year-old Jesus Iran Alicia-Santiago of Buffalo.
The affidavit said Alicia-Santiago’s family told police he would often travel to Pennsylvania to swap custody of his two-year-old child and Alvarez-Matias. The Aug. 26 custody swap specifically took place at the Dollar General on Route 414 off SR 15, and the two-year-old child was seen on video getting into the red sedan driven by Alvarez-Matias.
Denissa Alvarez-Matias/Mugshot: Tioga County Jail man killed in Liberty, Pennsylvania shooting; Investigations by the state police
The affidavit said police were responding to a call about an altercation between two men around 3:00 p.m. on the 26th, when witnesses said Acevedo got out of the passenger side of the red sedan and shot Alicia-Santiago once or twice his black Ford Explorer. Alvarez-Matias reportedly drove the red sedan, and both vehicles then drove away.
Alicia-Santiago then drove to the nearby Exxon station. When police arrived he was unconscious and officers and ambulance tried to revive him. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police spoke to Alicia-Santiago’s family from Buffalo, who said Alvarez-Matias was upset with him because of his new relationship.
Victims identified in Liberty, Pennsylvania shooting
Police also questioned other family members, who said Alvarez-Matias initially denied being involved in the shooting but later admitted being present and then leaving the scene when Acevedo “fired the first shot through the ground.” shot of the car” have affidavit.
The criminal complaint states that Alvarez-Matias was charged with criminal manslaughter, endangering a child’s welfare and obstructing arrest/prosecution. The State Police of Pa. also said that Acevedo was charged with criminal manslaughter and other related charges.
18 News has reached out to PSP for more information on Acevedo’s allegations and is awaiting a response.
PSP said the shooting appears to be an isolated event and there is no threat to the community at this time.
The investigation into the shooting continues. If anyone has information about the shooting they are asked to contact PSP Mansfield at 570-662-2151 and quote incident number PA2022-1090493.
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