Victim kills teen robber on trail, police say (Reading, PA)

Reading Eagle ^ | 26 January 2012 | Jason A. Kahl

[Army Air Corps]

A 65-year-old man shot two teens, one fatally, as they tried to rob him Wednesday morning on a trail near the Schuylkill River, police said.

The Berks County coroner's office did not release the name of the boy who was killed, saying only that he was a 16-year-old from the city. Officials said his mother asked them to give her time to notify relatives before releasing his name.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:17 p.m. by Deputy Coroner Jonn M. Hollenbach. An autopsy is scheduled this afternoon in Reading Hospital.

The other teen, who was shot once, was taken to Reading Hospital. Police did not release his name. Information on his condition could not be obtained.

A third teen, identified only as a 15-year-old boy, was stopped at the scene by police and taken in for questioning. He was later committed to the county youth center in Bern Township on unspecified charges.

Authorities also did not release the name of the man, who was not charged.

Police said the shooting occurred shortly before 11 on the Thun Trail near the Schuylkill River pedestrian bridge between Reading and West Reading.

According to investigators:

The man was riding his bicycle on the trail near the Bertolet Fishing Dock at South First Avenue and Chestnut Street in West Reading.

The teens knocked the man off his bicycle, and two of them assaulted him.

The man pulled out a handgun and shot them both.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I love a good family story like this! A hero on a bike, saving countless other folks from becoming victims later ;^)

[Red in Blue PA]

Your decode post is a classic!

[Kay Ludlow]

I've always thought all those public trails would end up as crime magnets. Those that let people feel like they are out in the wilderness are a prime location for robbery/rape, while those they insist on putting through our neighborhoods provide an opportunity to ‘case’ all sides of your home before a robbery AND a quick escape trail.

PA does now have the Castle Doctrine, so this biker should be ok..

[Olog-hai]

Yes, thanks to this man’s actions. Certainly teaches one to go out on a rail trail armed.