In the early evening of December 12, 2018, the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, was shattered by an act of violence that claimed the lives of three young men, including 19-year-old Joel Cintron. The shooting, which authorities believe was a targeted attack, also resulted in the deaths of 18-year-old Marli Alonso and 20-year-old Omar Harris. The incident unfolded around 7 p.m. in the 600 block of Moss Street, where Cintron and Alonso were discovered deceased at the scene.
Harris was grievously wounded and transported to Reading Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
Joel Alberto Cintron, born in New York City on November 4, 1999, was a resident of Reading. Known for his happy spirit and love of music, dancing, and singing, he was a young man with a vibrant personality who enjoyed making others laugh and smile. He had previously worked at a Subway in Exeter Township and was the father of a young daughter. His family and friends remembered him as someone who was always joking and laughing, a cherished son, brother, and father who would be profoundly missed.
For nearly three years, the case remained a focal point for the Reading Police Department. The investigation, led by Criminal Investigator Daniel Cedeño-Erazo, eventually pointed to Jairo Guerrero-Bautista as a primary suspect. In September 2021, authorities publicly identified Guerrero-Bautista and issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and related offenses. Shortly after his name was released, Guerrero-Bautista turned himself into the police.
In March 2024, a Berks County jury found Jairo Guerrero-Bautista guilty on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder for his role in the deaths of Cintron, Alonso, and Harris. Prosecutors detailed that Guerrero-Bautista, along with another man named Jonathan Torres and two unidentified individuals, had planned the fatal shooting. Due to his status as a minor at the time of the killings, Guerrero-Bautista faced a maximum sentence of 35 years to life for each count of murder. In April 2024, he was sentenced to a total of 140 years to life in prison, bringing a measure of legal closure to the families of the three young men whose lives were tragically cut short.
