In the early morning hours of October 27, 2017, a series of arguments between several individuals in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, culminated in the tragic death of 31-year-old William Earl Cooper Jr. The male victim was discovered lying on the sidewalk in the 300 block of South Marshall Street at approximately 3:18 a.m. with multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Lancaster General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead around 8:00 a.m. An autopsy later confirmed that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and the case was ruled a homicide.
The investigation into Cooper's death led Lancaster police detectives to identify 41-year-old Wilberto Melendez as the primary suspect. According to witnesses, the homicide was the result of an ongoing dispute that escalated that morning. Melendez, Cooper, and another individual had met on South Marshall Street to resolve their differences. However, the situation turned violent when Melendez allegedly retrieved an item from a Cadillac SRX that was stopped in the street and opened fire on Cooper and the other male. Cooper was struck four times in the chest and abdomen, while the second individual was not injured. Melendez then reportedly returned to the vehicle, which fled the scene.
Following an intensive investigation that involved reviewing hours of surveillance footage and interviewing numerous witnesses, an arrest warrant was issued for Melendez. He was also wanted for an unrelated parole violation. Detectives learned that Melendez had contacted a witness on multiple occasions after the homicide, instructing them to lie about what they had seen. In February 2018, Melendez was located and taken into custody during a traffic stop in York County. He was subsequently charged with homicide, intimidation of a witness, and firearms violations.
The legal proceedings against Wilberto Melendez were lengthy and complex, involving two mistrials in 2019 and 2021. However, a third trial in February 2025 resulted in a guilty verdict. A jury found Melendez guilty of first-degree criminal homicide, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a firearm prohibited, and intimidation of a witness. In April 2025, a judge sentenced Melendez to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional four and a half to nine years of incarceration. During the sentencing, the judge noted Melendez's lack of remorse and his extensive criminal history. Many of Cooper's loved ones were present in court and provided victim impact statements. As he was led from the courtroom, Melendez taunted the victim's family. In addition to his life sentence, he was ordered to pay $6,500 in restitution for funeral expenses.
