A 16-year-old gang member was behind bars Saturday in connection with a shooting in Escondido last month that left a 19-year-old man dead.
The suspect, whose name was withheld because of his age, allegedly opened fire on Leonel Garcia Jr. as he walked home from school near West 15th Avenue and Orange Street around 1 p.m. on Sept. 29, according to Escondido Police and the county Medical Examiner’s Office.
Garcia was struck once in his abdomen and was taken to Palomar Medical Center in grave condition, authorities said. He underwent multiple surgeries, but died from his injury on the evening of Oct. 6.
No description of the shooter was released, but police said they were seeking a small to mid-size gray pickup truck with a black ladder rack that had been seen leaving the area.
Escondido Police Department Robbery-Homicide and Gang Units launched an investigation into the shooting, which ultimately led them to the teenager, Escondido police Lt. Eric Skaja said.
The youth was arrested and later booked into juvenile hall for suspicion of murder and committing a felony for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang.
Skaja asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact police at (760) 839-4782 or (760) 743-8477, or at escondido.org/police.
— City News Service
