Wanted: Kirkland Murder Suspect Known As 'Pelon'

KIRKLAND, WA - Police are asking for the public's help to locate a man wanted in connection with a 2016 drug-related murder in Kirkland. Juan Felipe Galeana Madrigal, also known as "Pelon," which means "fear" in Spanish, may be hiding out somewhere in the south end of Puget Sound, police say.

Kirkland Police have filed murder charges against Madrigal over the May 2016 death of Francisco Mendoza. After responding to a call of gunshots, police say they found Mendoza inside a residence at 9732 NE 138th Place with a gunshot wound. He later died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Police believe Madrigal, 31, and Mendoza were in an altercation related to drug trafficking.

Police describe Madrigal as 5'5", 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He has a tattoo on the right side of his face that says "Familia." Police say he is known to frequent the south King County-Tacoma area, and has stayed at motels in Auburn.

Puget Sound Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to Madrigal's arrest.

Image via Kirkland police