In East Wenatchee, Washington, a 48-year-old Black man named Gregorio Garza, a devoted father of two, was fatally shot on the night of Friday, April 18, 2025. The incident occurred at his residence, an upper unit on 9th Street, where he had recently moved with his teenage sons to make a fresh start. Friends and family remember Garza as a man whose life revolved around his children, working long hours in construction to provide them with a stable and peaceful life.
The tranquility of their home was shattered at approximately 10:00 p.m. when Garza answered a knock at the door. With his two sons nearby, he was confronted by his landlord, 44-year-old Juan Luis-Estrada, who was also his neighbor. Estrada was allegedly holding a handgun and, after a brief exchange, shot Garza once in the chest. The attack was reportedly witnessed by Garza's children, one of whom had to step over his father's body to escape the home.
Following the shooting, Estrada allegedly entered the residence and pointed the weapon at one of Garza's sons. Law enforcement arrived at the scene in the 100 block of 9th Street Southeast to find Garza deceased. Estrada was located in the yard of his own home shortly after the police arrived and was taken into custody.
Court documents revealed a possible motive for the tragic event. Estrada reportedly told detectives that he had seen a video that led him to believe Garza was involved with his wife. His wife informed investigators that her husband had been acting erratically and accusing her of infidelity in the days leading up to the shooting. Estrada allegedly confessed to both law enforcement and his own family members that he had shot and killed Garza. He is currently being held at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center and is facing charges of first-degree murder, burglary, and assault. The community and Garza's family are left to mourn the loss of a man described as warm, funny, and dedicated to his sons.
