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HAZLETON — A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a violent weekend earlier this month that saw two shootings in the city.

Police said Eric Sanchez, of 650 Alter St., was arrested after he surrended to police Monday in connection with a July 10 shooting at Beech Street Park.

Police said Luzerne County 911 took a call around 7:20 p.m. that day of a gunshot victim at the park’s playground.

Officers arrived and met with several witnesses, who reportedly saw a fight involving 10 to 15 individuals in the grassy area near the hockey arena between Chapel and Locust streets, according to police.

During the course of the investigation, the 21-year-old victim identified Sanchez, 19, as the one who shot him in the buttocks with a shotgun, police said.

Police said Sanchez fled with two other men as officers arrived on the scene. Police said the other two men have been identified, but their identities have not yet been released.

Sanchez was arraigned Monday in front of District Judge Joseph Zola and was sent to Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail. He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Aug. 8 in front of Zola.

The shooting at Beech Street Park was one of two that weekend in Hazleton. The first unrelated shooting, at 10:45 p.m. July 9, claimed the life of Gregory Newton, 29, of Hazle Township.

According to the criminal complaint, officers located Newton in the area of First and Seybert streets, as well as a vehicle crash 200 yards west at the intersection of Diamond and Seybert streets. Police said one of the vehicles was a white Honda owned by Christian Ferman Roasdo, 26, that a large amount of blood both inside and outside.

Rosado, of 220 E. Hemlock St., was arraigned on gun and theft charges in connection with Newton’s death after being arrested at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. Rosado allegedly admitted to discarding the firearm used in the shooting when questioned by police.

Rosado is being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $250,000 straight bail.

A photo provided by the Hazleton City Police Department of Eric Sanchez. He surrended late morning Monday to police in connection with a non-fatal shooting.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_sanchez-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA photo provided by the Hazleton City Police Department of Eric Sanchez. He surrended late morning Monday to police in connection with a non-fatal shooting. Submitted photo

By Melanie Mizenko

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Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko