Chris Perez was 17 and from Allentown, Pennsylvania when he died on April 8, 2017, in Macungie, Pennsylvania. The shooting happened inside a home on Orchard Road in Lower Macungie Township during a gathering of teenagers. When the rifle was handed to him it discharged, striking him in the stomach. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest and the Lehigh County coroner ruled the death a homicide.

State police and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office investigated. Several other individuals were present at the home. A 16-year-old friend who had been at the scene was later charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly passing the rifle to Chris. The family established a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs.

If anyone was at the home that day or has information about how the rifle came to be handled that evening, please share what is known.