Mahanoy man, accused in fatal Hazleton area shooting, pleads guilty

HAZLE TOWNSHIP – A Mahanoy City man accused, just days shy of his 18th birthday, in connection with a fatal shooting has pleaded guilty to attempted homicide.

Ismael Valdez Batista, 19, of Mahanoy City was charged with criminal homicide and aggravated assault charges for the shooting last year just north of Hazleton.

The shooting happened April 15, two weeks shy of Batista’s 18th birthday. He was charged as an adult and denied bail.

Court records show he was set to stand trial Monday in Luzerne County Court in Wilkes-Barre when he pleaded guilty to attempted homicide charges.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

Another man, Reymer Gonzales, 19, of Hazleton, was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and other related felonies. He is set to stand trial in November.

A third man, Eliezer Santana, of Hazleton, remains wanted on homicide charges in connection with the incident.

The three are accused of shooting and killing Rolando Cepeda, 18, of Hazle Township.

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