x
Breaking News
More () »

UPDATE: Neighbor Dispute Leads to Homicide

WILKES-BARRE —  Police say they have the man responsible for a homicide in Wilkes-Barre. Police believe the deadly stabbing in Wilkes-Barre started with a...

WILKES-BARRE --  Police say they have the man responsible for a homicide in Wilkes-Barre.

Police believe the deadly stabbing in Wilkes-Barre started with a fight inside an apartment.

A search warrant for the apartment house on South Hancock Street says a stabbing happened inside around 10 p.m. Monday.

The coroner's office says Charles Edmonds, 27, was rushed to a hospital where he later died.

al-tariq peterkin homicide mug

Peterkin, 31, is locked up in the Luzerne County Jail as the first homicide suspect of 2014 in the Diamond City.

After Edmonds was taken away in an ambulance Monday night, court records say people in the first floor apartment where the stabbing happened refused to open the door.

"I just moved here month and a half ago. This is terrible."

A neighbor does not want to show her face or share her name after hearing an argument that turned deadly inside her apartment house in Wilkes-Barre.

"But thank God my kids have the whole third floor so they were sleeping. It was right underneath me and not them."

The Luzerne County coroner's office says Charles Edmonds was rushed to the hospital where he died. His downstairs neighbor Al-Tariq Peterkin was charged with homicide.

Police say he and two women refused to open the door for officers.

After obtaining a search warrant, authorities say they found a kitchen knife hidden in a wall in the apartment.

"I walk out my door and the man's blood is right there. It's creepy."

Tyler Griffin walks by the apartment house often and says his parents are cracking down because of the crime.

"They tell me not to be out. I really don't go out. Everyone else can have their fun. My fun is staying home," Griffin said.

Jon Shafer can see the apartment house from his front porch.  He says his family is upset that the first homicide of 2014 in Wilkes-Barre happened next door.

"It's bound to happen. A city of this size, it's going to happen."

"Plan on moving," said Alena Cruz. "Because it's too horrible around here, too many homicides."

Before You Leave, Check This Out