— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
A 35-year-old Allentown man was arrested today and charged with homicide and other offenses stemming from a shooting outside an after-hours club on Union Boulevard.
Pedro Junior Paulino is being held without bail in Lehigh County Prison, according to a statement from Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca.
Paulino is the second man to be charged in the killing. Social media posts helped identify the suspects, according to the statement.
Here are the facts, from the District Attorney and Chief Roca:
Feb. 8, 2025
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca announce a second arrest in a homicide.
Pedro Junior Paulino, DOB 7/30/1989, of Allentown, is charged with Criminal Homicide, three counts each of Attempted Murder and three counts each of Aggravated Assault, all felonies; Person Not to Use or Possess a Firearm, a felony of the second degree; Firearms Not to be Carried Without a License – Prior Conviction, a felony of the third degree; and a misdemeanor charge of Reckless Endangering.
Paulino surrendered to authorities today and will be arraigned at Lehigh County Central Booking and sent to Lehigh County Jail without bail.
Paulino is the second defendant charged in this killing.
David Isiah Rivera, DOB 10/16/1998, was charged Feb. 2, 2025, less than 12 hours after the homicide.
Just after 4 a.m. Feb. 2, 2025, Allentown Police were called to the BKK Lounge, an after-hours club located at 1500 Union Boulevard for a shooting.
Officers found four victims shot directly outside the club; including three men and a woman. One of those men, 32-year-old Ivan Diaz Jr., succumbed to his injuries. Diaz, of Lower Macungie Township, died from multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide by the Lehigh County Coroner.
Club staff told police there had been an argument inside the club and security had attempted to remove the involved parties.
The investigation revealed both shooters were identified as Rivera and Paulino, who left in two separate vehicles. Both shooters were identified through distinctive clothing and distinguishing tattoos as well as social media posts.
Paulino was identified on video retrieving a handgun from a car and firing it in the direction of the victims. Paulino is not permitted to possess a firearm nor does he have a valid license to carry a concealed weapon.
This case was investigated by Allentown Police Detective Samson Wega and Lehigh County Homicide Task Force Detective Kevin Mriss and will be prosecuted by Lehigh County Senior Deputy District Attorney Patricia Turzyn and Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed is
merely an accusation; and the accused, Pedro Junior Paulino, is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 