Man Convicted Over Mistakenly Killing Teenager in Philadelphia

The court has convicted Luis Garcia, who shot and killed Jonathan Rosa Camacho on January 4, 2021. He was a passenger riding in a Subaru Legacy when he saw Jonathan. The victim was riding his bike home from a convenience store in Philadelphia. As the vehicle was passing, Garcia shot the 16-year-old eight times.

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announced Garcia’s on March 13. The court found Garcia guilty of first-degree murder, possession of an instrument of crime, and illegal firearm violations. The court sentenced him to life in prison without parole for his crimes. Garcia also received a consecutive term of 4.5 to 12 years of state incarceration. 

The police arrested Garcia after the investigation uncovered surveillance video footage. In the video, he was in a Chinese food store near the scene shortly before the killing. According to the Philadelphia Police Department, Garcia admitted to shooting and killing Jonathan Rosa Camacho after reading him his rights and confronting him about the incident. He explained that he shot Camacho because he believed the teenager was an associate of another person that he had plans to eliminate.

District Attorney Larry Krasner said the streets of Philadelphia were safer following the conviction. He also said the conviction would send a message to other wrongdoers that they would be caught and convicted.

Assistant District Attorney Helen Park said it was a meaningless act of violence that took the life of a 16-year-old boy. She also said she was grateful to Jonathan’s family for their faith and patience in the system. 

During Garcia’s sentencing hearing, Jonathan’s family gave a victim impact statement. They said his death left a hole that nothing could ever fill. The family’s statement also said that they could have been there to hold Jonathan in his final moments so he would know he was not alone.