PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Authorities are searching for a man they say shot five people last weekend at a bar in Kensington, killing one.
Investigators say an argument broke out inside Vari Bar and Lounge along Lawrence Street near Cambria Street on Sunday morning. Twenty-year-old Steven Velez-Cruz and another person were asked to leave.
Moments later, more than three dozen high-powered rifle rounds and more than one dozen 9mm rounds were fired into the bar, killing 34-year-old Louis Soto inside. Four others — two men and two women ages 21, 31, 35 and 37 — were injured.
Velez-Cruz is wanted for murder, firearm offenses, discharge of a weapon into an occupied structure, four counts of attempted murder and four counts of aggravated assault.
He was charged in February with simple assault, reckless endangerment, making terroristic threats, and a gun offense, but a judge tossed them for “lack of evidence.” There are no details about that case.
Officials say if you know where Velez-Cruz is, do not approach him. Instead, call police.
Police say there was a second shooter they are still working to identify.
