Woman dies after domestic-related shooting on Route 61; suspect in custody [Update]

Steven Henshaw, Reading Eagle, Pa.
Updated ·2 min read

Aug. 4—Police have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting and stabbing of a woman during a domestic-related incident Friday morning at a prominent Route 61 intersection in Berks County.

Following an investigation, county detectives arrested Ignacio De La Cruz Peralta Agramonte, 49, Reading, on charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a weapon.

Peralta Agramonte was taken to the Berks County Sheriff's Department Central Processing Center Friday for processing and is awaiting preliminary arraignment.

Police were dispatched about 6:15 a.m. for gunfire at Route 61 and Snyder Road in Ontelaunee Township, Northern Berks Police Chief James Heiser said at the scene.

In a press release Friday afternoon, police gave this account:

Northern Berks Regional Police responded to multiple calls reporting a man shooting a woman in the head and fleeing in a black SUV.

Officers arrived at the scene and found an unresponsive woman with life-threatening wounds lying in the middle of the westbound lane on Snyder Road.

The victim, later identified as Librad Reyes De Peralta, was taken to Reading Hospital.

After conducting an investigation at the scene, police were told that Peralta Agramonte had called from a property along the 2000 block of Kutztown Road in Reading and admitted to shooting his wife.

Police arrived at the property and found Peralta Agramonte. He confessed to the attack and apologized.

At the hospital, De Peralta was pronounced dead at 7:04 a.m. by a critical care physician.

Deputy county coroner Todd Kegerise preliminarily determined De Peralta's cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds, and stab wounds.

Peralta Agramonte was then taken to the county detectives' office, where he again confessed, stating, "I made a mistake, I took her life."

Peralta Agramonte's brother, Jose Peralta Agramonte told detectives that Peralta Agramonte called him before the incident shortly before arriving at Jose Peralta Agramonte's home, where he was taken into custody.

Muhlenberg Township police assisted at the scene.

Route 61, also known as Pottsville Pike, was initially closed as well as Snyder Road. Route 61 opened a short time later. Crime-scene tape had been protecting a large area of Snyder Road and the adjacent property of a furniture store.