Daniel Matthew Santana, a 20-year-old male of Hispanic ethnicity, tragically died on July 21, 2019, in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania. Santana was found dead in the driver's seat of a car that had crashed in the area of Winter Drive and Pembrook Drive in Coolbaugh Township. The incident occurred around 10:45 p.m., when police responded to reports of shots fired in the neighborhood.
Santana's death was ruled a homicide.
Angel Rodriguez-Martinez, a 21-year-old male also from Tobyhanna, was found nearby and told police he was in the car with Santana when they were shot at. Rodriguez-Martinez was not injured and was taken into custody for questioning.
The investigation revealed that Santana had a history of conflict in the community. In January 2019, he was accused of pointing a rifle out of a window and threatening to shoot people outside. He was out on bail for these charges at the time of his death.
Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made in connection with Santana's murder. The Pocono Mountain Regional Police, along with the Monroe County coroner’s office, District Attorney’s office, and Pennsylvania State Police, continued to search for the perpetrators. The community was urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
The tragic incident shook the residents of A Pocono Country Place, where Santana lived. The community's Chief of Public Safety, Kurt Cummings, stated that the shooting was an isolated incident and not a random crime. He emphasized that the public was not in danger and that the community had worked hard to maintain safety.
The investigation into Daniel Matthew Santana's death remains open, with authorities continuing to seek information that could lead to arrests and justice for Santana and his family.
