A 19-year-old Lebanon man turned himself in to police over the weekend after a nearby garage camera allegedly captured him shooting 33-year-old Daniel Matos from behind on North Jones Street, according to prosecutors. Alex Montes-Rivera now faces homicide, flight to avoid apprehension and firearms charges in a killing investigators say was not random.
Officers responded to the 000 block of North Jones Street in Lebanon at about 1:53 p.m. on Sept. 18 after a report of a gunshot victim, according to centredaily.com. They found Matos, of Lebanon, dead with an apparent gunshot wound. Matos's girlfriend found him after the shooting and called 911, and officers later interviewed her as part of the investigation, according to the Lebanon Daily News.
Girlfriend Named Him, Then Video Backed It Up
According to the Lebanon Daily News, Matos's girlfriend allegedly identified Montes-Rivera as the shooter. Investigators say officers were then able to identify Montes-Rivera's vehicle in connection with the case.
District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said footage from a nearby garage allegedly showed the shooting and the defendant fleeing the scene, per the same account. That video, she said, allegedly showed Montes-Rivera shooting Matos from behind.
Suspect Surrendered Without the Gun
Lebanon City Police took Montes-Rivera into custody on Sept. 19 after he turned himself in over the weekend, the report states. He did not have the handgun on him at the time and did not give a statement to investigators, per the same account.
Police said the preliminary investigation indicated Matos was targeted and that the shooting was not random, according to centredaily.com. As of the morning after his arrest, Montes-Rivera was in police custody, and officials said the investigation remained active and ongoing.
A Pre-Existing Issue, But No Clear Motive
Law enforcement officials believe a pre-existing issue existed between Montes-Rivera and Matos, according to Hess Graf's account relayed by the Lebanon Daily News. Even so, officials say they do not know what specifically led to the shooting. Hess Graf said she was not aware of any previous incidents between the two men.
Montes-Rivera is charged with homicide, flight to avoid apprehension and possession of firearms not to be carried without a license. Residents with information are asked to contact the Lebanon City Police Department at 717-272-2054 or submit a tip through Crimewatch.
