Fernando Vasquez-Vittini, a 25-year-old Hispanic male from Scranton, PA, tragically died on August 9, 2020, in Hanover Township, Luzerne County, PA, from multiple gunshot wounds. His death was ruled a homicide by investigators. Vasquez-Vittini was found outside a Toyota Camry, which was involved in the incident. He was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The incident occurred on Boland Avenue around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2020. According to witnesses, a black male wearing grey jeans and a red hat exited a red, maroon, or burgundy-colored vehicle and entered a residence on Boland Avenue. After a short time, the black male and a Hispanic male sat in the rear seat of the Toyota Camry, where Vasquez-Vittini and another individual, Jose Carlos Matos, were seated. Matos claimed he saw Vasquez-Vittini pass a small bag to the rear seat before hearing gunshots. Matos fled the scene, while Vasquez-Vittini sped away in the Toyota.
State police recovered shell casings from a 9mm and a .380 caliber firearm inside the Toyota Camry. The investigation revealed that Vasquez-Vittini and Matos were shot inside the vehicle. Matos, who suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the shoulder, was found by police and taken to a nearby hospital. Investigators have described the gunman as a black male, but no arrests have been made, and the case remains open.
The community was deeply affected by the incident, with residents expressing shock and concern over the violence in their neighborhood. The investigation continues as authorities search for the shooter and gather more evidence to bring those responsible to justice.
