A Reading man has been sentenced to 25 to 50 years in a state prison after pleading guilty to fatally shooting and stabbing his wife during a domestic-related incident on Route 61 in Ontelaunee Township in 2023.
Ignacio De La Cruz Peralta Agramonte, 50, pleaded guilty Thursday before Berks County Judge Madelyn S. Fudeman to third-degree murder and and possessing instruments of crime in the killing of Librad Reyes De Peralta.
Authorities said:
Northern Berks Regional police responded Aug. 4, 2023, about 6:15 a.m. to multiple calls reporting a man shooting a woman in the head at Route 61 and Snyder Road and fleeing in a black SUV.
Officers arrived and found Librad Reyes De Peralta unresponsive with life-threatening wounds lying in the middle of the westbound lane on Snyder Road. She was taken to Reading Hospital.
After investigating at the scene, police were told Peralta Agramonte had called from a property along the 2000 block of Kutztown Road in Reading and admitted shooting his wife.
Police went there and found Peralta Agramonte. He confessed to the attack and apologized.
De Peralta was pronounced dead at 7:04 a.m. by a critical care physician at the hospital.
Officials with the coroner’s office preliminarily determined De Peralta died of multiple gunshot wounds, and stab wounds.
Peralta Agramonte was taken to the county detectives’ office, where he again confessed, stating, “I made a mistake, I took her life.”
Peralta Agramonte’s brother, Jose Peralta Agramonte, told detectives that Peralta Agramonte called him after the incident shortly before arriving at Jose Peralta Agramonte’s home, where he was taken into custody.
Muhlenberg Township police assisted at the scene.
Route 61, also known as Pottsville Pike, was initially closed as well as Snyder Road. Route 61 opened a short time later. Crime-scene tape had been protecting a large area of Snyder Road and the adjacent property of a furniture store.
Where to find help
Call 911 if you or someone you know are in immediate danger.
To seek the help of an advocate or to contact Safe Berks, call the 24-hour hotline, 844-789-SAFE (7233) or text SAFE BERKS to 20121.
Safe Berks provides free and confidential services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault 24 hours a day. All services are available in English and Spanish, and translation will be used for any other language needed.
