Keith Minick, a 24-year-old male from Allentown, PA, tragically died on October 2, 2017, from gunshot wounds to the body. His death was ruled a homicide by the Lehigh County coroner's office. Minick was one of two men killed in a noontime shooting at an intersection in Allentown. The other victim, 28-year-old Richard Vera Jr., also died from gunshot wounds.
The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. at the intersection of North Fourth and Washington streets. According to the investigation, the shooting was the result of a dispute between members of rival subsets of the Bloods gang, specifically the G-Shine Bloods and the Bounty Hunter Bloods. The dispute was reportedly over drug money and territorial control.
Keith Minick and Richard Vera Jr. were both on foot when they were shot. Security camera footage captured the shootout, showing five men involved in the dispute. Minick and Vera were seen pulling out handguns and shooting each other. Erick "Pookie" Guzman, a member of the East Side Piru Bloods, was also seen firing a handgun in the direction of both Minick and Vera. Guzman was later charged with four weapons violations, including two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Despite the tragic circumstances, friends and family remembered Minick as a kind and loyal person who brought joy to those around him. He was known for his love of basketball and his dedication to his family. The investigation into the shooting revealed the deep-seated rivalry between the two Bloods sets, but no other arrests were immediately announced.
The double homicide marked the 12th and 13th homicides of the year in Allentown, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the community in addressing gang violence and territorial disputes.
