Vasquez shooting was over drug money

MOSES LAKE — Nineteen-year-old Juan “Pooky” Vasquez was killed in an alleged dispute about a small amount of unpaid marijuana.

A juvenile friend of Vasquez reportedly owed money for drugs. Vasquez was allegedly confronted by Cesar Ismael Ramos DeLaCruz, 27, Moses Lake, and Frankie Mahto Larioz, 19, Moses Lake, about the juvenile on June 16, according to Grant County Undersheriff John Turley.

The shooting was not gang-related, he noted.

All three men were in their vehicles at the intersection of Vandenberg Loop and Doolittle Drive during the confrontation. Vasquez and Larioz were reportedly talking when DeLaCruz wanted to discuss the drug money, Turley said. Vasquez reportedly began to leave the intersection in his 1990 blue Honda CRX to avoid the discussion.

Vasquez allegedly attempted to flee Ramos DeLaCruz and Larioz, heading toward Patton Boulevard.

Ramos DeLaCruz reportedly exited the vehicle and shot Vasquez twice with a .357 Magnum as he attempted to drive away. He was struck in the back and thigh. A third shot missed the victim

After being struck by gunfire, Vasquez’s car collided with an oncoming Ford Bronco on Patton Boulevard.

He was transported to Samaritan Healthcare where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation led Grant County Sheriff’s Office detectives to Bell, Calif., where they arrested Ramos DeLaCruz for murder in the first degree with assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team on Thursday, Turley said.

The Grant County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against Ramos DeLaCruz and a warrant was issued for his arrest June 23. Bail was set at $1 million.

His girlfriend, Rena K. Rodriguez, 21, Moses Lake, was taken into custody as a material witness because she allegedly has information about the homicide, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Ramos DeLaCruz and Rodriguez were allegedly attempting to flee law enforcement by traveling to California where they have family, Turley said.

“Both will be brought to Grant County via a secure fugitive transportation service,” Turley stated.

Larioz was arrested for murder in the first degree-complicity after he was located at a family residence on Lakeway Drive Friday afternoon in Moses Lake.

“Larioz was the driver of the vehicle used to transport Cesar Ramos,” he stated.

Moses Lake police assisted with Larioz’s arrest.

Grant County Prosecutor Angus Lee said he expected to file charges against Larioz on Monday.

Court records, including the police report concerning Ramos DeLaCruz, were sealed while searching for the suspect.

Neither suspect was arraigned in Grant County Superior Court as of late Monday afternoon.

“The Grant County Major Crimes Unit wishes to express gratitude to the many citizens of Grant County who were willing to share information about this tragic death,” Turley stated.

Vasquez’s aunt and uncle, Geneva and Bob Ambris, said they were pleased to hear about the suspects’ arrests.

“It’s a big relief that the suspects were caught,” said Geneva. “We’re happy to hear the news that they were captured. Now they have to deal with how they will be punished for killing our nephew. They took something very precious. We love him and he’ll be greatly missed.”