W-B cops investigate 2 shootings

First Posted:

JEN MARCKINI and STEVE MOCARSKY

WILKES-BARRE – Police are investigating two shootings in the city that occurred hours apart between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Police responded to 15 John St., near Pennsylvania Avenue, for a report of multiple gunshots at 11:05 p.m. and upon arrival, found Dumont Anderson, 32, of North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, with multiple gunshot wounds.
Anderson was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township for treatment. He was still a patient there as of Sunday night, but hospital personnel refused to release his condition.
Before he was taken in the ambulance, Anderson pointed out to police where he had been shot.
The shooting occurred outside of a 2-1/2 story double-block home at 15 John St., near North Pennsylvania Avenue.
Police declined to release additional information on Sunday. The shooting occurred in a residential area known for drug activity.
Wilkes-Barre Crime Watch member Evelyn Schmeisser, who lives across the street from the crime scene, said she heard about six gunshots.
Before that, Schmeisser and other neighbors saw six men running from 15 John St. to a house directly across the street; the men then took off running.
Schmeisser said there has been suspicious activity at the house in the past, with people often coming and going.
Police said they are also investigating a shooting that occurred during an attempted robbery on Pine Street on Sunday morning.
Police said Craig Budde, of Arthur Street in Hazleton, told them he accompanied Melissa Dunn, 26, of Pine Street in Wilkes-Barre, to 41 Pine St., Wilkes-Barre, where he was confronted by Jerome Kuren, 31, of Harrison Avenue, Scranton.
Budde told police Kuren was holding a pipe and demanded his money, police said.
He handed over his money, but Kuren raised the pipe and approached Budde. Budde then pulled out a pistol and shot Kuren in the foot, police said.
Police said Kuren was treated at and released from Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. Kuren and Dunn were both taken into custody.
Charges are pending the outcome of an investigation, police said.