Anthony Vasquez re-sentenced for Airport Grocery murder

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man who was previously sentenced to life in prison for shooting and killing a man in Moses Lake in 2013 was sentenced to 55 years in prison following a decision by the state court of appeals.

Anthony Rene Vasquez was previously convicted of first-degree aggravated murder, with an aggravator of drive-by shooting, three counts of drive-by shooting, tampering with a witness and unlawful possession of firearm in connection with the September 2013 murder of Juan Garcia, 22, outside of Airport Grocery, located on Patton Boulevard Northeast. He was sentenced to life in prison by Judge John Antosz in February 2016.

Vasquez’ case was sent back to Grant County for resentencing following a Washington Court of Appeals, Division III, decision relating to the drive-by shooting convictions. On the day of the murder Vasquez arrived at the Patton Boulevard business in a Toyota pickup truck, which was parked on the side of the store 63 feet away from where Garcia was shot and killed.

In the moments before the shooting Vasquez left the Toyota hidden behind a utility fence, rushed Garcia, who was sitting in the passenger seat of a SUV and shot him at point-blank range. Washington law dictates that a drive-by shooting has to occur inside a vehicle, or in the immediate area surrounding the vehicle. As a result, the judges reversed the drive-by shooting convictions, due to Vasquez leaving the Toyota and the 63 feet he had to traverse to reach Garcia in the SUV. Because the drive-by shooting aggravator was dismissed, when Vasquez was resentenced he was sentenced for non-aggravated first-degree murder, which carries with it a term sentence, as opposed to a life sentence.

Vasquez’ new sentence involved him pleading guilty to first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and tampering with a witness. Judge John Antosz imposed an exceptional sentence above the standard range of confinement for each of the three counts and Vasquez was sentenced a total of 55 years in prison, with credit for time served. A count of second-degree murder-armed with a firearm was dismissed due to the double jeopardy clause, which prohibits a person from being prosecuted twice for the same crime.

Vasquez' defense attorney indicated they will be appealing the sentence.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.