ALLENTOWN, PA – District Attorney Jim Martin and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca have announced the arrest of an individual in connection with a recent homicide in the city.
The suspect, identified as Obadiah Whack, a resident of Allentown, faces multiple felony charges, including Criminal Homicide, Person Not to Possess a Firearm, and Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Structure.
On September 29, 2023, just after 2 a.m., Allentown police responded to a reported shooting at 628 North Law Street. On arrival, they found Giselle Trabal, aged 35, with a gunshot wound to her chest. Tragically, she later died from her injuries, and her death was ruled a homicide by Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio.
Initial investigation details show that Trabal was inside an apartment on the first floor when the shooting took place. A single 9-millimeter cartridge casing was discovered in the hallway next to the apartment’s front door, which also had a bullet hole. Authorities believe that Whack fired the fatal shot through the door, hitting Trabal.
Witnesses, who wish to remain anonymous, provided a detailed description of the alleged shooter and the vehicle he used to escape. This information eventually led to the identification and arrest of Whack at an apartment located at 315 N. 14th Street in Allentown. He remains in custody at the Lehigh County Jail due to an active arrest warrant from Warren County, New Jersey.
Further investigations found the gun that killed Trabal was Whack’s, and it has since been recovered.
For clarity and in response to prior reports, this incident is Allentown’s 15th homicide for the year. Out of these, 12 were criminal homicides, while three were deemed “justified,” meaning no criminal charges will be filed.
