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WILKES-BARRE — The victim of a fatal shooting on West Hollenback Street Saturday night has been identified as 37-year-old Jose Rodriguez Jr., said Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis.
The cause is under investigation, but Salavantis said investigators do not believe the shooting was a random act.
The suspects are believed to be two black males between the ages of 20 and 30 and were last seen running on West Hollenback Street in the direction of River Street, she said.
One of the men was heavier set, between 5 feet 10 inches and 5 feet 11 inches and 240 to 250 pounds. He had scruffy facial hair and was wearing a gray sweatshirt, dark-colored sweat pants and sneakers, she said.
The second suspect was tall and dressed in black, she said.
City police, county detectives, state police and the state police computer crime lab are handling the investigation, Salavantis said.
Anyone with information is asked to call city detectives Charles Casey or Shane Yelland at 570-208-4222.
According to police:
Police responded to 33 W. Hollenback St. around 11:30 p.m. on a report of shots fired.
Upon arrival, police discovered the victim lying inside the residence unresponsive. City medics determined he was deceased.
The scene was secured, and two search warrants were prepared and executed.
The initial investigation revealed that the victim arrived home and was involved in some type of altercation, possibly with several men. The victim was shot during this argument and suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Several neighbors said Rodriguez was nicknamed “T” and was friendly. Two neighbors said he cared for his children at his home and did not cause any problems in the neighborhood.
Family members could not immediately be reached for comment.
One posting on Facebook said Rodriguez was a “single dad fighting for the future of his boys.”
County Deputy Coroner Tom Moran said an autopsy is pending.