Life Sentence For Man Who Shot, Killed Teen In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — A man who shot a teenager eight times, killing him, in Philadelphia two years ago will spend the rest of his life in prison, authorities said.

Luis Garcia, 33, was sentenced to life in prison in connection with the shooting death of 16-year-old Jonathan Rosa Camacho.

Camacho was shot and killed the evening of Jan. 4, 2021 on the 4200 block of Fairhill Street.

Garcia was convicted of first degree murder, possessing an instrument of crime, and related illegal firearm violations last week, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

Camacho was on his bike when he was seen by Garcia, authorities said.

Garcia then shot Camacho eight times after the teen rode past him, authorities said.

He then fled down the street to a Subaru Legacy driven by Eric Santiago, according to authorities.

Footage gathered by investigators showed Garcia in a Chinese food store shortly before the killing, wearing very distinct footwear and a plainly visible cross-body pack.

Additional footage also showed Garcia wearing those same items while fleeing the scene after the shooting, according to authorities.

The same vehicle was spotted by police in the same neighborhood.

Police stopped the vehicle and learned it was registered to Santiago.

Search warrants were obtained and executed by investigators for the vehicle and cellphones of the defendants.

Additional evidence was obtained through these warrants, including the recovery of the body pack worn by Garcia on the night of the shooting.

Garcia and Santiago were later confronted with this evidence during interrogation, whereupon they provided Mirandized confessions admitting to their involvement in the murder of Camacho, authorities said.

It was determined during this interrogation that Garcia gunned down the teen because he believed Camacho was associated with another individual that Garcia was targeting for murder, according to authorities.