Background: News footage of the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Nampa, Idaho (KTVB). Inset (left): Brian Moreno (Nampa Police Department). Inset (right): Joe Flores (Dakan Funeral Chapel).
A jury has found an Idaho man guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of another man in a restaurant parking lot. Brian Moreno, 25, was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the 2022 killing of 23-year-old Joe Flores. This conviction came after a trial that involved six individuals charged in the incident, which occurred on September 1, 2022. According to the Nampa Police Department, the shooting was related to gang activity.
Details from the trial, as reported by The Idaho Statesman, revealed that the fatal encounter took place at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Nampa, Idaho. Two rival gangs reportedly clashed at the location. During the altercation, cellphone footage captured someone instructing Moreno to retrieve a gun.
When law enforcement responded to the shooting, they discovered Flores on the ground with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized.
Several months after the incident, the Nampa Police Department announced Moreno’s arrest alongside five others tied to Flores’ murder. Authorities described Flores as “an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire” of a gang dispute. Flores had no gang ties, according to his family, who described him in his obituary as someone who loved trucks, the outdoors, and “always found the good in others.”
Among those charged, Moreno was the only individual convicted of Flores’ murder. Pedro Navarro Jr., 21, faced charges of aiding and abetting first-degree murder, rioting, and aiding and abetting aggravated assault. He admitted to the aggravated assault charge, leading to the dismissal of the other charges. Navarro is set to be sentenced on March 19.
Moreno was the only one of the six men charged with Flores’ murder. Pedro Navarro Jr., 21, was charged with aiding and abetting first-degree murder, rioting, and aiding and abetting aggravated assault. He pleaded guilty to the aggravated assault charge and the other charges were dismissed. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19.
Lazaro Vela, 19, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and pleaded not guilty. His trial has not yet been scheduled. Three other defendants were charged with felonies including accessory to a felony and rioting.
Moreno was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder with a gang enhancement. His sentencing is scheduled for May 8.
