Investigators allege guns were hidden and evidence concealed after 17-year-old was killed
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Four additional people, including an adult and three teenagers, have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old inside a Columbia Borough apartment, where investigators say firearms were handled for hours before a gun discharged.
The new charges stem from the July 18 shooting that killed 17-year-old Wilfredo Garcia inside an apartment in the 900 block of Plane Street.
Lancaster County prosecutors previously charged Jose Manuel Lopez III with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and related offenses in Garcia’s death.
According to investigators, 19-year-old Bryant Ramos of West Hempfield Township is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with evidence, criminal conspiracy related to both offenses and carrying a firearm without a license.
Nineteen-year-old Xxavior Michener of Columbia Borough is charged with carrying a firearm without a license.
Tamara Rosario, 42, of Columbia Borough, is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, furnishing alcohol to minors and corruption of minors.
A 17-year-old male, whose identity was not released because of his age, faces charges including hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with evidence, criminal conspiracy, carrying a firearm without a license and possession of a firearm by a minor.
Investigators allege everyone charged was inside the apartment when the shooting occurred.
According to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, Michener possessed the 9mm handgun investigators determined was used in the shooting before the incident, while Garcia possessed a .40-caliber handgun.
Authorities allege the teenagers, some of whom had been drinking alcohol, spent several hours handling the firearms, firearm parts and accessories, taking photos and videos, and pointing laser sights at one another.
Prosecutors allege Rosario, Garcia’s mother, provided alcohol to some of the teenagers.
Investigators said the 9mm handgun discharged while Lopez was handling it, striking Garcia in the head.
After the shooting, authorities allege Ramos and the juvenile placed the firearms and gun parts into a shoebox, removed them from the apartment and hid them in different locations.
Police later recovered the 9mm handgun in the Lititz area, the .40-caliber handgun in the York area and additional firearm parts from a vehicle in the Mount Joy area.
Investigators also allege Rosario concealed the identities of those present in the apartment when initially questioned by police.
District Attorney Heather Adams said the investigation required hundreds of hours of work by Columbia Borough police and Lancaster County detectives before the additional charges were filed.
Preliminary arraignments were held Aug. 3. Bail for Ramos and Michener was set at $50,000 unsecured. Authorities said Rosario was expected to surrender later that day, and the juvenile turned himself in to Juvenile Probation.
The charges are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Four additional people have been charged following the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old in a Columbia Borough apartment.
- Investigators allege firearms were hidden and evidence was concealed after the shooting.
- Prosecutors say teenagers handled multiple firearms for hours before the fatal gunshot.
