Moses Lake teen shot, died Saturday

No arrests made

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake teenager was shot at a residence on West Cascade Avenue in Moses Lake Saturday at approximately 4 p.m.

Leoncio Garcia, 18, Moses Lake, died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, Moses Lake Police Department Capt. Dave Ruffin said. It is unknown why he was shot or who shot him.

Police say there are no specific suspects.

Ruffin said when police were called out to the scene, a vehicle allegedly involved with the incident was reported to be traveling away from the scene.

Police stopped the vehicle at 4th Ave. and Division, finding Garcia inside with an unidentified subject, he said. Police indicated the subject in the vehicle was attempting to take Garcia to the hospital.

Garcia was transported to Samaritan Healthcare for treatment to his gunshot wound. He was later transported to Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane where he was pronounced dead, police reported Tuesday in a statement.

Police delayed releasing information about the shooting until Tuesday, after Veterans Day.

Police obtained a search warrant for the residence where the shooting took place and recovered related evidence. Ruffin said the firearm used in the shooting was not recovered.

A forensic autopsy was conducted on Garcia in Spokane, he said.

Several subjects including juveniles were allegedly interviewed at the residence where Garcia was shot, according to Ruffin. He said it is unclear why the subjects were at the residence. It is unclear if the shooting is gang related, Ruffin said.

Garcia does not live at the residence and is believed to have been visiting, Ruffin said.

Approximately four hours after the shooting a 15-year-old male was arrested for a warrant concerning a probation violation at the scene. The male was not involved with the shooting incident, Ruffin said.

The Moses Lake Police Department asks people with information related to the shooting to contact the investigation unit at 509-766-9230.