Sunday Morning Shooting In Retaliation To Stabbing

A shooting near Vine and 1st on Sunday morning at approximately 2 am, is believed to be in retaliation to a stabbing on 5th Street in Hazleton on Saturday December 26th.

It was reported that at approximately 1:30 am on the 26th, a large fight occurred on 5th Street, with a male and female being assaulted with a knife.

Officers investigating the scene of the 5th street stabbing

On Sunday morning, Hazleton police responded to a report of three gunshots in the area of Vine and 1st. An investigation determined that Joseph Pitts, 28 of Hazleton, had fired into a vehicle occupied by two individuals.

Anonymous reports have stated that the shooting was in direct retaliation to the stabbing incident.

Facebook posts of Pitts's girlfriend confirm that the shooting was in retaliation.

Her name will currently be undisclosed, because she is not criminally involved, however she has been confirmed to have been a victim in the stabbing.

Pitts, who goes as "Jay Dot" on Facebook, had a #profile #picture of what is assumed to be his #gun in August.

Pitts is currently #jailed for lack of $300,000 bail on numerous felony charges including Aggravated Assault and Persons Not To Possess A Firearm.