On a tragic Thanksgiving night in Lexington, Kentucky, the life of 14-year-old Angel Juarez, a Hispanic male, was cut short by a senseless act of violence. On November 24, 2016, a dispute involving Angel's older brother, Danilo Juarez, escalated and ultimately led to the innocent teenager's death. The chain of events began earlier that day when Danilo was part of a group that was robbed in a nearby park.
Some of the victims, including a man named Kevin Josue Ipina-Garcia, suspected that Danilo had orchestrated the robbery.
Seeking retribution, Ipina-Garcia, accompanied by another man, went to the Juarez family home on Henton Road. Upon their arrival, they rang the doorbell and asked for Danilo. When Angel's other brother, Christian, informed them that Danilo was not home and closed the door, Ipina-Garcia fired multiple shots through the door. Angel, who was inside the home, was struck in the chest and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
In the days following the shooting, law enforcement identified Kevin Josue Ipina-Garcia as the primary suspect. He was apprehended in West Virginia just two days after the incident and extradited back to Lexington to face charges. The investigation revealed that Ipina-Garcia had gone to the Juarez residence with the intention of confronting Danilo about the robbery. In a tragic case of mistaken identity and reckless violence, he fired his weapon through the closed door, fatally wounding Angel.
Kevin Josue Ipina-Garcia was charged with murder, wanton endangerment, and tampering with physical evidence. In March 2019, he pleaded guilty to the charges. During his sentencing, Ipina-Garcia expressed remorse for his actions and the immense pain he had caused the Juarez family. He was ultimately sentenced to 33 years in prison for the murder of Angel Juarez, a promising young life taken far too soon.
