District Attorney Jim Martin and Chief Michael Marks announce that a man has been charged in relation to the June 1 shooting at Lehigh Valley Mall.

Miles Harper, 19, of Gordon Street, Bethlehem, has been charged with two counts of criminal attempt to commit criminal homicide, one count of aggravated assault, and one count of criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault, all felonies of the first degree. (This latter count will be withdrawn, and another count of aggravated assault will be added.)

Harris was taken into custody this afternoon by members of the Allentown and Whitehall Township police departments. He will be arraigned later today through central booking.

On June 1 at approximately 7 p.m., members of the Whitehall Township Police Department responded to the Lehigh Valley Mall for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found two male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Victim No. 1 had a gunshot wound to the torso, and Victim No. 2 was suffering from a gunshot wound to the waist/pelvic region. Both men were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital for treatment. (Note: neither victim is being identified in order to help ensure his safety.)

An investigation was begun by Det. Matthew Reszek of the Whitehall Township Police Department. In the course of the investigation, both victims were interviewed. Victim No. 1 provided information as to the circumstances surrounding his shooting. He described an altercation he had with the defendant, Harper, which began outside the interior entrance of Macy’s Department Store. Associates of both Victim No. 1 and of Harper joined the altercation.

During the altercation, Victim No. 1 observed Harper in possession of a handgun, which resulted in Victim No. 1 and his associates fleeing through Macy’s and out to the parking lot. According to Victim No. 1, he was unable to avoid Harper in the parking lot and was shot by him.

Victim No. 2 was uncooperative with investigators insofar as identifying the shooter but stated that he tried to help his friend, Victim No. 1, during the altercation and was shot when he ran into the parking lot.

It is alleged that the defendant Harper is a member of the “MRE” (Money Rules Everything) local street gang. One of the victims is a member of a different gang.

As part of the investigation, surveillance video from the Lehigh Valley Mall security camera system was viewed by law enforcement. The video shows the altercation, its location, and the defendant’s possession of a handgun.

As a result of the investigation, it is alleged that the defendant, Miles Harper, shot both victims.

As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest has been made or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation; and the defendant, Miles Harper, is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.