LANCASTER, PA — A 16-year-old Lancaster City resident accused of firing a gun at a group of people in a city park has waived his preliminary hearing, allowing the case to proceed to the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas.
Moises Miguel Mercado Jr., of the 300 block of Beaver Street, waived his hearing on Jan. 17 before District Judge John Bender. Mercado faces charges of aggravated assault, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a firearm by a minor, and receiving stolen property.
The charges stem from a Dec. 19 incident in Culliton Park, where Mercado allegedly fired a 9mm semiautomatic handgun toward four individuals walking through the area around 4:30 p.m. Responding officers quickly identified Mercado as the shooter.
Mercado later admitted to police that he had been carrying the weapon and shooting toward the group. Investigators determined the firearm had been reported stolen in May 2024. As a minor, Mercado is prohibited from possessing a firearm under Pennsylvania law.
Lancaster City Bureau of Police Officer Benjamin Detwiler filed the charges, and the case will now proceed in the county court system.