Selvin Yovani Lara-Reyes, a 29-year-old Hispanic male, was fatally shot on March 31, 2021, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. at an apartment complex on Oak Meadow Court, near South Boulevard. When officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrived at the scene, they found Lara-Reyes with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene by MEDIC.
The investigation into the homicide led to the identification and arrest of two suspects.
The first suspect, 18-year-old Mario Alexander Monroy, was charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and felony breaking and entering. Monroy was arrested following an interview with homicide detectives. The second suspect, 19-year-old Andy Jonathan Garcia, was also charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and felony breaking and entering. Garcia was identified and arrested by CMPD the day after the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting involved a home invasion-style assault. Monroy and Garcia allegedly broke into a woman's apartment, where they shot Lara-Reyes and injured a 7-year-old boy. The child sustained injuries but was expected to recover. The investigation into the case remains active and ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
The tragic death of Selvin Yovani Lara-Reyes highlights the ongoing issue of violence in the community. CMPD officials have expressed their frustration with the recent string of violent incidents and emphasized the need for community partnership to address the root causes of such violence. The arrests of Monroy and Garcia mark a significant step in the pursuit of justice for Lara-Reyes and his family.
