Elimelec Vazquez, 36, of Reading, Pennsylvania, died after a Monday evening confrontation on April 6, 2026, in the 1000 block of Muhlenberg Street. The available online sources identify him as a Reading resident and describe the case as a fatal shooting that began with an everyday neighborhood dispute and quickly turned deadly.
Police were called to Muhlenberg Street at about 6:57 p.m. for a reported shooting.
When officers arrived, they found Vazquez suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. He was taken to Reading Hospital, where medical staff attempted life-saving treatment, but he later died from his injuries. Authorities said the shooting appeared to be isolated and that there was no continuing threat to the public.
The confrontation reportedly began over parking. According to police accounts summarized in local reporting, Vazquez warned someone not to hit his car while parallel parking. The disagreement grew into an argument, with words exchanged between nearby porches just a few houses apart. At some point, Vazquez reportedly approached the other person and demanded a confrontation. That is when Luis Clavell-Gierbolini, 43, allegedly came out of the house with a handgun and chased Vazquez.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and then seeing Vazquez fall to the ground. What had started as a dispute over a parking space ended with Vazquez mortally wounded in the street near his home. The Berks County Coroner’s Office identified him after the shooting, and an autopsy was scheduled at Tower Health/Reading Hospital.
Police said a suspect was located shortly after officers arrived and was taken into custody. Clavell-Gierbolini was later identified as the accused gunman. He was booked in Berks County on April 7, 2026, and reported charges included first-degree murder, third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and possession of an instrument of crime with intent. Reports stated that he was held at Berks County Jail without bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 17, 2026.
Obituary information described Vazquez as a man devoted to his family and faith, and as the longtime companion of Jayleen N. Rios. He was remembered as someone with a strong work ethic who took joy in simple parts of life, including caring for his car and supporting Philadelphia sports. His death left family, friends, and neighbors grieving after a brief argument in front of homes on Muhlenberg Street escalated into a homicide case.
