ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A 22-year-old Bethlehem native and Liberty High School graduate, Jerkera B. Battle, was found dead in her Allentown apartment on July 22, 2025, after being shot multiple times in the head. Authorities have charged her ex-boyfriend, Adam Makowka, 27, of South Whitehall Township, with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and aggravated assault in connection with her death.
According to court documents, a witness, Joshuah Hoffner, was present in the apartment during the incident and identified Makowka as the shooter. Authorities allege Makowka accessed the apartment via a fire escape and roof access door, entering with an AR-15 rifle. He allegedly fired multiple shots at Battle, killing her, before turning the weapon on Hoffner in a bedroom where Battle’s three-month-old son was also present. Hoffner reportedly wrestled the rifle from Makowka, who fired until the weapon was out of ammunition. No additional injuries were reported.
Surveillance footage captured Makowka arriving at the apartment around 3:45 a.m. in a Honda Civic, carrying a rifle case and wearing a sweatshirt. He was later seen fleeing the building without the case or sweatshirt, which police recovered on the roof. Makowka was apprehended later that day in Lansdowne, Delaware County, with assistance from local police. He is awaiting extradition to Lehigh County.
Battle, remembered by friends as a joyful, animal-loving mother whose smile lit up any room, leaves behind an infant son. The investigation remains ongoing, with Allentown police, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, and the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office collaborating on the case.
Sources:
- MSN: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/adam-makowka-charge-with-killing-ex-gf-jerkera-battle-pd/ar-BB1qVq0r
- LehighValleyLive.com: https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/2025/07/woman-22-is-shot-to-death-in-allentown-by-her-ex-boyfriend-cops-say.html
- CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/man-charged-with-murder-woman-shot-in-the-head-allentown-pennsylvania/
- LehighValleyNews.com: https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/criminal-justice/2025/07/22/police-charge-ex-boyfriend-in-the-shooting-death-of-22-year-old-allentown-mother
- Daily Voice: https://dailyvoice.com/pennsylvania/king-of-prussia/jerkera-b-battle/
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