SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. -- A neighborhood in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County woke up to gunshots, then a man described as suspicious running through backyards. That man is now behind bars, charged with fatally shooting another man.
Friday was a whirlwind of a day for the multiple agencies involved in the whole ordeal.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan tells us it's too early to tell whether the men knew each other.
It was 6 a.m. Friday on Cambridge Circle, when, "the ambulance woke my daughter up," said Heidi Wilcome of South Whitehall Township. "The next thing I know, the streets were full of police cars."
South Whitehall Township Police found 56-year-old Christopher Potter in the bathroom of his home with multiple gunshots.
"First units arrived in under a minute to try to help the victim with life-saving techniques," said South Whitehall Township Interim Chief Stephen Brown. "However, it was determined it was beyond hope."
Within minutes, Holihan said, "There were some eyewitnesses who pointed us in the direction of a gentleman running through the neighborhoods, which at that time of the day in that area, and his demeanor was very suspicious."
"He was captured on a couple of Ring cameras running through backyards. It kind of directed our officers into an area where they could set up a perimeter," said Brown. "He was eventually taken into custody without incident."
He is Elvis Miguel Perez, found at 7 a.m. around 38th Street.
The DA says Perez has since been charged with homicide, possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Police recovered what they believe to be the gun used to kill Potter.
"It was found a short distance away from where Mr. Perez was taken into custody," said Holihan. "At this point, the motive is unclear."
All of the commotion rattled neighbors, who say it's usually a quiet area.
"Chris moved in about three years ago," said Wilcome. "He seemed fine. He was friendly."
Wilcome said Potter would sometimes borrow tools.
"He would come over and see my husband work in the garage," said Wilcome. "He, for the longest time, had a lot of people moving in and out with him."
Perez had previously pleaded guilty to multiple counts of burglary and possession of a firearm in Lehigh County and is currently facing drug charges in Schuylkill County.
Potter's autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
