Community / Crime & Safety

Second Victim Dies, Raising June Ponce Shooting to Double Homicide

Published Jul 8, 2026, 7:27 AM ASTvia El Nuevo Día

At a glance

  • Double homicide in Ponce on June 6
  • 250 homicides reported in Puerto Rico this year, 17 more than in 2025
  • Investigation led by Agent Joseph Rodríguez and prosecutor Juan Molina Pérez

Puerto Rico Police reported that a shooting that occurred in early June in Ponce has resulted in a double homicide after a second victim died from his wounds. The incident took place on June 6 at about 2:18 AM in the parking lot of a pizzeria on Avenida Eugenio María de Hostos. Víctor Joaquín Rodríguez León, 42, a Ponce resident, was found dead at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds.

Two other men were taken to area hospitals with gunshot wounds and were initially reported in stable condition. However, police said one of them, Joel González Napoleoni, 49, died on June 23 from his injuries. Agent Joseph Rodríguez of the Homicide Division of the Criminal Investigations Corps in Ponce and prosecutor Juan Molina Pérez are leading the investigation.

As of this past Tuesday, police had reported 250 homicides so far this year, 17 more than the 233 recorded by the same date in 2025.

In context — 787daily, from public data

SourceEl Nuevo Día

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