Fatal 'Wild West' Norristown Shootout Suspect Caught In Nebraska

NORRISTOWN, PA — A third suspect in the shootout that led to the death of an innocent bystander in Norristown has been arrested in Nebraska, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday. The search for a fourth shooter remains ongoing.

Edwin Islas-Cruz, 23, of Norristown, faces first degree murder charges in the Sept. 18 incident.

Islas-Cruz and another man pulled up in front of a home on the 600 block of Astor Street that day police said. The pair got out and began shooting into a group of other men whom they were feuding with.

Shots fired wound up killing Barry Fields, 51, who was sitting on the front porch of his home nearby, uninvolved in the confrontation.

District Attorney Kevin Steele described the incident as a "Wild West" shooting.

Islas-Cruz was speeding on Interstate 80 near Grand Island, Nebraska when a state trooper pulled him over, the DA's Office said. A search of his car revealed three handguns, one of which had its serial number removed, and two of which had extended magazines like the weapons used in the Sept. 18 shooting, police said.

Islas-Cruz was accompanied by two other men and a juvenile, all of whom were charged with firearms offenses.

He is currently awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania.

If you have any information on the incident, contact the Norristown Police Department at 610-270-0977 or call the Montgomery County Detectives’ Tip Line at 610-278-DOIT (3638).