On the evening of December 10, 2025, a violent encounter unfolded on Ashley Avenue in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 6:45 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, first responders discovered the victim, identified as Luis Garcia-Galvez, a 17-year-old male who had sustained fatal injuries.
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office subsequently confirmed his identity following the incident.
Detectives determined that Garcia-Galvez had driven to the location with the intention of meeting another individual. During the interaction, a suspect approached the victim's vehicle and attempted to rob him at gunpoint. The confrontation escalated rapidly, resulting in the assailant shooting and killing Garcia-Galvez before fleeing the scene. The investigation involved a coordinated effort between local police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to track down the person responsible.
On December 17, 2025, law enforcement officials apprehended a 17-year-old suspect in connection with the homicide. The teenager was taken into custody and placed with the Department of Juvenile Justice. Authorities have charged the suspect with murder, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Following the arrest, Charleston Police Chief Chito Walker issued a statement addressing the tragedy, noting the permanent consequences of youth gun violence and expressing hope that the legal proceedings would provide some measure of justice for the grieving family. Funeral services for Garcia-Galvez were scheduled to be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Goose Creek.
