Police say a push during an argument sent two men over a second-story balcony.
COATESVILLE, Pa. — A broken second-story balcony railing is at the center of a Chester County murder case after police said one man pushed another during an argument, sending both of them to the pavement below.
Neftali Feliciano-Perez, 53, of Coatesville, is charged in the death of Moises Galarza-Bermudez, who authorities said was found on a sidewalk with head trauma and no pulse after the April 18 fall. The case turns on a short chain of events described by investigators: an argument at Galarza-Bermudez’s apartment, a push into the railing, the railing breaking and a fatal fall from the second floor. Feliciano-Perez was held at Chester County Prison on $750,000 bail.
Investigators have not released a long narrative of the night. Instead, the official account focuses on the balcony and the force that sent the men over it. The two were at Galarza-Bermudez’s apartment in the 700 block of East Lincoln Highway around 9:51 p.m. when they argued on the second-story balcony, authorities said. Feliciano-Perez pushed Galarza-Bermudez into the railing, according to the criminal complaint summarized by prosecutors. The railing broke, and both men fell. Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said the case involved “an altercation that got out of control.”
The railing may help investigators answer several questions. Its height, condition, attachment points and break pattern could help show how the fall happened. If the railing failed only after the alleged push, prosecutors may use that to support their claim that Feliciano-Perez caused the death. If the defense later questions whether the structure was weak or defective, the physical condition of the balcony could become a point of dispute. Police have not publicly said whether the railing was collected, photographed, inspected by building officials or examined by any outside expert after the fall.
What is known is that officers found Galarza-Bermudez on the sidewalk after the fall. Authorities said he had head trauma and no pulse. He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead. Feliciano-Perez was still at the scene, according to reports citing police. The public reports do not say whether he was injured, whether he was treated by paramedics or whether he spoke to officers. They also do not say whether anyone else was on the balcony. Those gaps could narrow as police reports, medical records and testimony become part of the court process.
Feliciano-Perez faces charges of third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. The murder charge signals that prosecutors believe the alleged conduct was more serious than an accident or ordinary negligence. The manslaughter charge gives a separate path if the evidence is viewed as reckless rather than malicious. The assault charges relate to the physical push that police say began the fall. The reckless endangerment charge reflects the danger of conduct on a second-story balcony. Feliciano-Perez has not been found guilty, and prosecutors carry the burden of proof.
The case also depends on timing. Police were called shortly before 10 p.m. on a Saturday, a time when neighbors may have been home and people may have been traveling along East Lincoln Highway. Investigators may try to determine when the argument began, how quickly it moved to the balcony and how soon emergency calls were made after the fall. A few minutes could matter if witnesses heard shouting before seeing the men fall or if someone reached the sidewalk before officers arrived. Officials have not released 911 audio, dispatch records or a timeline beyond the reported response time.
Galarza-Bermudez’s apartment is described as the place where the argument occurred. That detail places the death inside the victim’s own living space before it spilled outside to the sidewalk. Authorities have not said whether Feliciano-Perez lived in the same building, nearby or elsewhere in Coatesville. They have not described the relationship between the men or explained why Feliciano-Perez was at the apartment that night. They also have not released any statement from Galarza-Bermudez’s relatives. De Barrena-Sarobe said the office’s thoughts were with the victim’s family and friends during a difficult time.
Coatesville police are leading the investigation, and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecution. Police asked anyone with information to contact Detective Jose Colon or the City of Coatesville Police Department. That request may cover people who heard the argument, saw the fall, knew the men or had information about the balcony. In a case with few public details, outside statements could help confirm the sequence of events or fill in what happened before officers arrived. Investigators may also seek records from the apartment building, including maintenance reports, tenant information and prior complaints if any exist.
The court process began with Feliciano-Perez’s arraignment. Bail was set at $750,000, and he was booked into Chester County Prison after he could not post it. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 29. The hearing would give prosecutors their first chance in open court to present the basic evidence behind the charges. A judge could hold some or all counts for trial, reduce charges, dismiss unsupported counts or continue the matter if more time were needed. Later stages could include formal arraignment, discovery, motions, plea talks or trial scheduling.
Several details remain unknown as the case moves forward. Authorities have not released the victim’s age. They have not said whether toxicology tests were ordered or whether alcohol or drugs are part of the investigation. They have not said whether surveillance video exists. They have not identified any eyewitness by name. They have not explained what words or actions turned the argument physical. Those unknowns do not stop the prosecution from moving ahead, but they mark the areas where future testimony and records may add weight or raise challenges.
The current public record leaves the case fixed on one alleged act and one broken barrier. Feliciano-Perez remained jailed on $750,000 bail, while police and prosecutors continued building the case around the balcony fall that killed Galarza-Bermudez.
Author note: Last updated May 18, 2026.