Grandfather shot to death by neighbor over parking space

Two lives wasted over a parking space. File this under "Sick, Sad World."

Herbert Rupp Jr., a 65-year-old Reading man, was shot to death by his 56-year-old neighbor, Santiago M. Robles, after the two argued over a parking space.

From the Reading Eagle:

Wednesday's murder was sparked by an ongoing dispute between Rupp and Robles about a handicapped parking space near their homes, police and neighbors said.

Both men have handicapped placards for their vehicles and argued over who was entitled to park in the space, investigators said.

Parking is at a premium on the narrow street that overlooks Mount Penn and downtown Reading. But relatives and neighbors of Rupp said they never thought a parking dispute would lead to murder.

One man dead in the street. The other facing life in prison. Neither will use the handicapped space again.

Read the full story in today's Reading Eagle.