BY SUSAN BRYANT

sbryant@tnonline.com

A 28-year-old Schnecksville woman was shot around 4:15 a.m. Jan. 22 in the 1000 block of Union Blvd., Allentown.

According to Lehigh County Corner Daniel A. Buglio, at approximately 4:45 a.m. that same morning, his office was contacted by Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg, Bethlehem, reporting the death of Blessing Alida Taveras, who was pronounced dead at the hospital at 5:25 a.m.

The cause of her death is a gunshot wound, Buglio said, adding “I am ruling the manner of death a homicide.”

An autopsy was scheduled for 8 a.m. Jan. 23, at the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center.

According to Allentown Police Capt. of Patrol Daniel Gross, officers responded to Mamajuana, 1038 Union Blvd., for a report of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers located Taveras with a wound consistent with a gunshot.

CPR was administered on scene by police and EMS.

Taveras was transported to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

Police say a short time later a 28-year-old male arrived by personal transport to an area hospital with a wound consistent with a gunshot to his leg.

His injuries were not life-threatening.

At this time, it is believed the injury to him and the injury to Taveras occurred during the same incident, police say.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Allentown Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 610-437-7721 or the Allentown Police Department Complaint Desk at 610-437-7753.

Additionally, Anonymous text tips may be sent through the Tip411 available on the Allentown Police Department Facebook page at facebook.com/Allentownpolice or the Allentown Police Department website at allentownpa.gov/Police.

In addition to the coroner’s office and the Allentown Police Department, this incident is being investigated by the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, with assistance from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office.