Mark Little And Jaroe Perry Obituary, ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mark Little, 59, of Allentown, and Jaroe Perry, 41, of South Whitehall Township, died following two separate and unrelated shootings in Allentown Tuesday evening, according to Allentown police and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office.
Little was the first victim in the two incidents. At approximately 6:50 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of West Gordon Street after a shooting was reported. Police found Little suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio identified Little as the victim and ruled his death a homicide. Police arrested Abdidahir Nieves, 39, of Allentown, in connection with Little’s death. Nieves is facing a homicide charge, according to authorities.
Approximately an hour later, another fatal shooting was reported at about 8:15 p.m. near South Front Street and East Cumberland Street. Officers found Perry suffering from gunshot wounds and he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The coroner identified Perry, 41, of South Whitehall Township, as the victim and determined that his death was a homicide. Police arrested Barrett Griggs, 39, of Schuylkill Haven, at the scene. Griggs faces charges of homicide and prohibited possession of a firearm.
Authorities emphasized that the shootings involving Little and Perry were separate and unrelated incidents. Autopsies for both men were scheduled for Wednesday as investigators continued working to establish the circumstances surrounding each death.
Allentown’s Office of Violence Prevention said it was working with public safety officials and community partners to support people affected by the shootings and help prevent additional violence. The city urged residents not to retaliate and encouraged the community to look out for one another.
As investigations continue, authorities have asked anyone with information about either shooting to contact Allentown police at 610-437-7721. The deaths of Mark Little and Jaroe Perry have left their loved ones and members of their communities to mourn, as authorities continue working to establish the full circumstances surrounding their deaths.
