WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting at a Walmart in Whitehall Township, killing one woman, police said.
District Attorney Jim Martin and Whitehall Police Chief Michael Marks announced Sunday that Whitehall’s Edward Joel Rosario-Jimenez, 23, is charged with felony murder, attempted criminal murder and aggravated assault; all first-degree crimes; and firearm not to be carried without a license, officials said.
At around 6:55 p.m., police in Whitehall Township were asked for a report of shots fired at Walmart parking lot in the 2600 block of MacArthur Road.
Upon arrival, police found two victims near a parked vehicle with the engine still running in the parking lot.
Both victims sustained gunshot wounds, one died later from the injuries and a second one received medical treatment. The office of the coroner in Lehigh County has ruled that the victim, whose identity was only revealed as Jane Doe, a murderer, is dead.
According to officials, investigators were able to obtain and review footage from the Walmart store showing the victim’s vehicle arriving and parking in an area of the merchandise.
Within minutes, a black Toyota sports utility vehicle entered and parked directly in front of the victim’s vehicle, officials said.
Several victims were questioned by police. Their identities will not be disclosed.
According to officials, one witness told police she was going to the Walmart parking lot to pick up her child, who is also the child of one of the victims.
The witness told police that she arrived in the Toyota with Rosario-Jimenez and two other people and that Rosario-Jimenez was arguing with one of the victims. The witness told police she heard gunshots and left in the Toyota, but Rosario-Jimenez remained in the parking lot.
According to police, another witness told police they saw Rosario-Jimenez fire several gunshots at the victims.
According to police, a pistol was found hidden in a snow bank next to the place where the shooting took place.
Officials recall, as in every criminal case, that an arrest has been made or a charge has been lodged, is only an accusation; and the accused, Edward Joel Rosario-Jimenez, is found not guilty until proven guilty.
Edward J. Rosario-Jimenez was also arrested in a previous shooting incident on September 14, 2019 for several offenses of simple assault, reckless threat and terrorist threats.