Victim Of Local Shooting Dies In Hospital, Suspect Charged With Homicide

The victim of Wednesday’s shooting in North Coventry died Thursday at Lehigh Valley Hospital and charges against the suspect have been upgraded to homicide, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said in a press release.

Zachary Ludwig, 22, allegedly shot Nicholas Mruczek in the chest, the DA said.

Ludwig was angry because Mruczek was dating his ex-girlfriend, according to police.

He confronted Mruczek outside of his residence at the Highland Manor Apartments at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning, police said.

Ludwig had bought an unregistered shotgun for the occasion, according to the DA.

After Ludwig shot Mruczek “in close range,” Mruczek made his way back to his apartment where he told his roommates that he was going to die and to tell his father that he loved him, according to the Pottstown Mercury.

Mruczek was bleeding profusely when police arrived at about 2:18 a.m., according to the report.

He told police when they arrived that “Zach” was the shooter, the report states.

“Love and anger can be a dangerous mixture,” Hogan said. “The defendant’s response was to get an unregistered shotgun, confront the victim, and then shoot him at close range.”

Ludwig reportedly threw his shotgun into French Creek after he left the apartments, where it was later recovered by police, according to the report.

Ludwig’s preliminary hearing is July 23.

The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone who has any information is asked to call North Coventry Police Department Detective Tom Barton at 610-323-8360.

Image of Zachary Ludwig courtesy of the North Coventry Police Department.