Aug. 10—WILKES-BARRE — An accidental bump inside a hookah lounge led to a fatal shooting on Hazle Street early Saturday morning, police say.
Wilkes-Barre City police detectives arrested Natasha Mary Dixon, 35, of Edison Street, Wilkes-Barre, in the fatal shooting of Ayena Velardo, 30, in the area of 199 Hazle St. just after 3:30 a.m., according to court records.
Dixon and Velardo were inside the Mila Lounge at 199 Hazle St. where the two accidentally bumped into each other in a crowded room, court records say.
Velardo exited the lounge and crossed the street with other people.
Dixon also left the lounge and approached Velardo, shooting her in the throat, court records say.
A witness told detectives, according to court records, Dixon “smiled” after she fired the shot and sped away in a mini-van, which was found on Hutson Street.
Dixon was arrested and arraigned by District Judge Joseph Spagnuolo of Plains Township on an open count of criminal homicide Saturday night. She was jailed without bail at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police responded to a gunshot victim in the parking lot next to a restaurant at 3:39 a.m. and found a bystander performing live-saving measures on Velardo.
An officer took over live-saving measures on Velardo who had a gunshot wound to her throat.
Velardo was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center where she died upon arrival.
Several witnesses told detectives they were inside Mila Lounge for an after-hours party. Velardo was seated in a back room and was bumped by Dixon, resulting in the two women exchanging words, court records say.
Velardo exited the lounge and passed Dixon, who also left the hookah bar.
Court records say Velardo walked across the street and was approached by Dixon. Velardo asked, “what’s up?” when Dixon brandished a handgun and fired a shot that struck Velardo in the throat before Dixon sped away, court records say.
The Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Unit, Troop P, processed the scene.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call city police Detective Lieutenant Matt Stash at 570-208-0911.