06/04/2026
ALEX HERRERA, 16, ARRESTED FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN NORRISTOWN HOMICIDE
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Norristown Police Chief Michael Trail announce the arrest of Alex Herrera, 16, of Norristown, on charges of First-Degree Murder related to the shooting of 15-year-old male, J.O., in Norristown last night.
The murder happened at approximately 8:38 p.m., Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Haws Alley off of George Street in Norristown. Norristown Police arrived to find 15-year-old J.O. lying in the alley suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. J.O. was transported to Paoli Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead. At the scene, detectives recovered one .40 caliber live round and one .40 caliber fired cartridge casing. Detectives also recovered a cellphone on scene, later determined to belong to Alex Herrera.
A joint homicide investigation was launched by Norristown Police and Montgomery County Detectives. Detectives located multiple publicly posted videos from the area of the shooting that showed numerous juveniles running from the scene after the shot was fired. Detectives identified Herrera, who appeared to be holding something in his waistband as he ran from the scene. Herrera was stopped by Norristown Police nearby the shooting scene.
The investigation found that two groups of juveniles met three times that night to engage in a fight but kept having to change locations due to police presence. The third fight ended in the fatal shooting of J.O.
Herrera was arrested on charges of First-Degree Murder, Third-Degree Murder, Firearm Not to be Carried Without a License, Possession of a Firearm by a Minor and Possessing an Instrument of Crime. He is awaiting arraignment at the Montgomery County Youth Center. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled at the arraignment.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.
