Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said Barry Lee Soldridge, Jr. was apprehended early this morning.
Soldridge stands accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend, Candice Shuey, 22, and Derek Henry, 36, in the 1300 block of Cottonwood Road around 7:15.
"Though this has been charged, as we usually do, with general counts of criminal homicide, it's my view that this is a premeditated act based on the information that we have to date," said Morganelli. "I will be treating this as a first degree murder case. I will also note that, because we have a multiple homicide, that is an aggravating factor, which would make this a capital case."
Authorities said Henry's body was found in his car; Shuey's body was found on the ground about 50 yards away.
The coroner confirmed the victims, both residents of Lehigh Township, died of gunshot wounds. He ruled their deaths homicides.
Witnesses told police Soldridge appeared at the scene and began arguing with Shuey and Henry before investigators said he opened fire, shot the two victims, and drove off.
A neighbor who didn't want to give her name spoke with WFMZ-TV about what she witnessed.
"I heard what sounded like a high-powered shot and I heard like three," she said. "Shortly after that, I saw police and ambulances and fire engines."
The weapon hasn't been recovered, although investigators said they do believe it's a rifle.
Morganelli said he asked state police to take over the investigation because of the greater resources they have to work the case. EmailPrint
