Two Years Later, Temecula Teen Imprisoned In Drug-Fueled Killing Of 15-Year-Old Gage Seal

TEMECULA, CA — A Temecula teenager who was accused of fatally shooting his 15-year-old friend while high on drugs in a Lake Elsinore motel has been sentenced to prison in the case. Ryan Jordan Jawad — who is now 18 but was 16 at the time of Gage Seal's death in May 2015 — was sentenced in July to a total of 17 years in prison related to two cases, Patch has learned.

According to John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Jawad was handed down his punishment on July 10 by Judge Kelly Hansen. Jawad was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and admitted that he personally used a firearm, Hall said. He also faced several burglary counts in a separate case.

Jawad and Seal were friends, according to witness testimony. And on the night of May 31, 2015, the two headed to the Travel Inn Motel, located at 31610 Auto Center Dr. in Lake Elsinore, for a party with some other friends, reports indicated. It was in that motel room that Jawad ultimately shot Seal, who died at the scene.

Investigators had alleged that just prior to the shooting, the 16-year-old was messing around with a handgun while at the party, and while high on a concentrated form of marijuana called "wax," pointed it at his 15-year-old friend.

After being charged as an adult, Jawad's case has been making its way through the legal system since the deadly incident.

He's now at the Wasco State Prison-Reception Center, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records indicate.

Image courtesy: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation