Bensalem Shooting Halloween: Family Demands Justice After Middle Schooler Gunned Down on Halloween in Bensalem
Bensalem Shooting Halloween: Family and friends gathered Thursday night to remember a middle school student who was killed when gunfire rang out during a large fight on Halloween night in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
The deadly shooting happened around 7:35 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Bristol Pike and Woodbine Avenue.
Police say 14-year-old Pietro “Peter” Romano suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest when a gunman opened fire on a crowd of people.
A 17-year-old and a 19-year-old were also hit by gunfire but are expected to survive.
There were lots of hugs and tears exchanged between family and friends as they huddled in the cold while remembering Peter’s life during the vigil.
Several bullet holes scattered along the wall of a salon in the nearby shopping centre serve as a grim reminder of the deadly shooting.
“To the person who took my little brother’s life, you know who you are and I know you’re paying attention. So do what’s right and give my brother justice,” Maria Romano, the victim’s older sister, said during the Thursday night vigil.
According to police, the gunman opened fire from a parked vehicle.
The shooter was last seen fleeing northbound on Bristol Pike in an unknown vehicle after firing about a dozen shots.
“What happened to my younger brother was not only heartbreaking but it had such an impact on everybody’s life. This is something no one will ever forget or get over,” Maria said.
Maria said she is hoping the community learns from this.
“This isn’t limited to my younger brother being the victim and whoever did this being the suspect. This will be with us forever and impact everybody… Do what’s right and give my angel his justice,” she said.
Romano was a student at Snyder Middle School. His father wants him to be remembered for his upbeat personality.
“He was such a funny kid; he was just a kid growing up just doing things every other kid in the community did, and I just love everybody that showed up tonight,” said Peter Romano, the victim’s father. “I just hope this never happens again and they catch this guy who did it.”
Bensalem police said it’s still unclear if the gunman was involved in the large fight.
Officers are still working to get a description of the suspect and vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to call Bensalem police.
