Tamaqua shooting victim named

Tamaqua Police issued a news release in connection with a shooting that took place early Tuesday morning.

According to the release, at 2:07 a.m. Tuesday, Tamaqua Police received a report that a person had been shot in the borough.

Officers found the victim, Joseph R. Becker, 35, of Summit Hill, in the parking lot at Fegley’s Mini Mart on Center Street, but the preliminary investigation determined the shooting actually took place in the 200 block of West Rowe Street.

Based on the preliminary investigation, police believe the shooting to be drug related and have a person of interest in the case.

Becker is in St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem, recovering from a gunshot wound to his chest after undergoing surgery Tuesday. He is listed in stable condition.

The investigation is continuing.