Background: News footage from the scene of the Oct. 31 shooting in Chula Vista, Calif. (KFMB). Insets (left to right): Kane Roldan and Elias Yanez (GoFundMe).
Eighteen-year-old David Garcia has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances involving firearm use, negligent discharge, and carrying a loaded gun publicly. These charges stem from the tragic deaths of Kane Roldan, 15, and Elias Yanez, 17, who were reportedly shot while attempting to defuse a confrontation between Garcia and one of their companions. Garcia’s court appearance on Wednesday highlighted these serious allegations.
Prosecutors detailed that at the party, which hosted over 100 attendees, Garcia was allegedly flaunting a weapon tucked in his waistband.
As reported by the Times of San Diego, Deputy District Attorney Jason Yeh explained that before the fatal incident involving Roldan and Yanez, Garcia had purportedly discharged his firearm into the air in a separate incident, aiming to intimidate another individual.
Later that same Halloween night, an argument erupted between Garcia and another attendee, a friend of Roldan and Yanez. In an attempt to mediate, the two teens stepped in, but tragically, Garcia allegedly shot them both, leading to their untimely deaths, according to Yeh.
Later that Halloween night, Garcia was reportedly arguing with a different partygoer who was a friend of Roldan and Yanez. Yeh said that the two teens tried to intervene, then Garcia allegedly “tragically killed these two boys.”
In a press release, the Chula Vista Police Department said that officers responded to reports of a shooting at 11:17 p.m. When they arrived, they found Roldan and Yanez with gunshot wounds and began lifesaving measures. Both teens were brought to the hospital and were pronounced dead.
Police said that Garcia was arrested on Monday. He is being held at the George Bailey Detention Facility without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 12.
