Scranton security officers shoots 3 persons, killing one
SCRANTON, Pa. May 13 2019— Bullet casings scattered across the street and blood splattered on storefronts were some of the things investigators in Scranton were looking at after a deadly shooting.
Police say that shooting happened around 5 a.m. Sunday on North Main Avenue. The people involved came from inside The Castle, an after-hours club nearby.
“It woke me up out of my bed. I heard about seven gunshots approximately, and then I thought I was dreaming, and I got up and looked outside, and I saw sirens and ambulances and a whole chaos going on,” said neighbor Michael Perez.
Investigators say it was the security guard at the club who fired the shots that sent three men to the hospital. One has died. One is in critical condition. The third was hit in the shoulder and is expected to survive.
The Lackawanna County coroner identified the man who died as Parker Palermo, 20.
People who live near the after-hours club tell Newswatch 16 violence stems from it on a regular basis, and they hope something can be done to end it.
“Every other weekend there’s something going on here, either a fight or gunshots, and it’s out of control. There’s kids here. There’s families here,” Perez added.
Police are working with the district attorney’s office to determine if the shots fired by the security guard were justified.
People who live near the club say, regardless, they are looking for a new place to live.
“I moved out of New York City to get away from this, and here it is up here following me, so you know, the cops are doing what they can, but I have to look out for my safety,” said Perez.
Newswatch 16 asked for comment from The Castle, but the person who answered the phone declined.
The investigation is still underway. If any charges come from the shooting, police expect they would be filed Monday at the earliest.
At this point, it’s unclear if The Castle will be able to stay open or be forced to close if it’s determined to be a nuisance bar.
