A man critically wounded his wife and killed the man she was with at a busy Walmart parking lot in Berks County in a case of domestic violence, police said.
There were various patrons, including children, in and around the store when the suspect arrived at the Brookshire Square Shopping Center in Wyomissing and shot his wife, Wyomissing Police Department Chief John Phillips said.
The other man tried to get away in an SUV, but he was fatally shot as he drove, with the SUV crashing before coming to a stop, Phillips said. Police were also investigating a sedan that appeared to have its driver's side window shot out.
Police identified the alleged shooter as Nehemias Santiago Montes. The victims were identified as Jessica M. Cruz-Rodriguez, 30, and Alexi Omar Rodriguez Serra, 34. Cruz-Rodriguez remained hospitalized in critical condition from wounds to her head, police said.
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Tasha Richardson said she was near the front of the Walmart when employees came running through the store and told people to head to the back because of a possible active shooter.
“It’s really scary because we were at the door. We were in self-checkout. It’s right at the door. We were on our way outside,” Richardson said.
Phillips said the situation could have been a lot worse.
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“We have kids coming in and out of all these stores all the time. It could have been a real tragedy, more than what it already is,” he said.
Police officers quickly arrived and arrested the gunman.
Online court records show Santiago Montes has been charged with murder, aggravated assault and related charges. The records did not list an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
