Two men in Altoona have been charged with attempted criminal homicide after a man was shot in the mouth Saturday evening.
According to the Altoona Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of North 4th Avenue just before 11 p.m. for reports of a male with a gunshot wound.
Police said that, upon arrival, they discovered a 9mm penetrated the victim’s mouth and exited the opposite cheek.
A Facebook post by the police department states that the victim also had a glancing bullet wound to his back and a gunshot into his backpack.
According to police, an investigation revealed the shooter to be Benjamin Merritts, accompanied by James Cain Jr.
Police said that the two fled the scene in opposite directions before police arrived.
The post states that both men were eventually caught without incident.
According to police, the gun used in the shooting was previously reported stolen and was recovered a short distance from where Merritts was apprehended.
Merritts is being charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, person not to possess firearms, receiving stolen property, firearms not to be carried without a license, criminal trespass, simple assault, and other related charges.
Cain Jr. is being charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, criminal trespass, simple assault and other related charges.
Both Merritts and Cain Jr. are currently being held in the Blair County Prison awaiting their preliminary arraignment.