Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a Lehigh County man, Paul Kerr, has been sentenced to 7 to 14 years in prison for a shooting incident at Pagan’s Place bar in Allentown. The event occurred in January 2023.
Kerr, aged 30, had previously pleaded guilty to charges including criminal attempt to commit homicide, being a person not allowed to possess a firearm, and discharging a firearm into an occupied structure.
“This defendant, who should not have had a gun in the first place, showed no regard for human life when he opened fire into a neighborhood bar,” stated Attorney General Henry. She added that although no one was physically harmed, such incidents could have lasting psychological effects on those present. “My office is committed to keeping Pennsylvanians safe and holding those accountable who put that safety at risk through their careless and illegal use of firearms.”
The Allentown Police Department's investigation revealed that on January 7, 2023, Kerr entered Pagan’s Place bar. The owner, Luis Pagan, who resided with his family above the bar, asked Kerr to leave. After refusing and arguing with Pagan, Kerr eventually left the premises. He then crossed the street before turning back and firing several shots at the bar. One bullet penetrated a window while four others struck the exterior brick wall.
No patrons were inside the bar during the shooting. The firearm used was registered to Kerr’s wife.
The case was referred from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office to the Office of Attorney General and prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo.