Guzman condemns deadly shooting, calls for peace and unity in Reading

READING, April 18 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today released the following statement in response to the deadly shooting that took place Sunday afternoon outside a shopping center at North Sixth and Greenwich streets within the city of Reading.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded Sunday afternoon, which led to an individual losing their life. This incident occurred so close to my home that I heard the gunshots ringing from down the street. My heart aches for the family that have lost a loved one, and for all the families who have had their loved ones taken from them too early as a result of gun violence. While even a single act of gun violence is horrifying, they have occurred with unrelenting frequency in communities across this commonwealth for far too long. This is evidenced by the rise in gun-related violence in Reading as well as the mass shooting that took place in Pittsburgh over the weekend, which also resulted in multiple lives being lost.

“As a community, we must resist becoming numb to these appalling acts and rise as unified people with the underlying goal of ceasing the violence. As elected officials, we have the opportunity to take proactive measures to ensure these gruesome events reduce in frequency and severity. I look forward to working with my colleagues at the state, federal and local levels, as well as across the aisle, to address these issues head on and provide a safer community not only here in Reading, but across the entire commonwealth.”

Anyone seeking more information can reach Guzman’s office at 610-376-1529.