On a tragic Saturday afternoon in Moses Lake, Washington, the life of 24-year-old Hispanic male, Radel P. Llamas Jr., was cut short on September 11, 2021. Just before 3 p.m., police responded to a call and discovered Llamas in his vehicle in the 1300 block of Marina Drive with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was rushed to Samaritan Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The incident was quickly investigated as a homicide by the Moses Lake Police Department.
The investigation into Llamas's death was a collaborative effort involving detectives and the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab. Investigators meticulously searched Llamas's vehicle for evidence, canvassed for witnesses, and reviewed surveillance footage from businesses in the vicinity of the shooting. A key piece of evidence emerged from a nearby tattoo parlor, where an individual had called 911 to report the incident. Through their diligent work, detectives were able to piece together the moments leading up to the fatal shooting.
The evidence gathered by law enforcement pointed to one individual: 43-year-old Juan Alberto Flores, a resident of Moses Lake. Witness statements and video surveillance confirmed that Flores was with Llamas shortly before the shooting and was seen leaving the area immediately after. This crucial information led to the arrest of Flores at his workplace at 5 a.m. on the following Friday. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder.
While an arrest was made, the motive for the shooting remained unclear to investigators, though they did state that it did not appear to be gang-related. The weapon used in the commission of the crime was not immediately recovered, and authorities seized the vehicle Flores was driving on the day of the incident for further investigation. The community was encouraged to come forward with any additional information that could aid in the ongoing investigation.
