On a summer evening in Tacoma, Washington, a dispute over money escalated into a fatal street confrontation that claimed the life of 30-year-old Hispanic male Francisco Beiza. The incident unfolded around 8 p.m. on July 24, 2018, in the 4400 block of Portland Avenue, where Beiza, a resident of San Jose, California, was found lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite the efforts of passersby who attempted to render aid, Beiza was pronounced dead at the scene.
The chain of events leading to the deadly encounter began with a phone conversation between Beiza and 23-year-old Joshua Youell, who claimed Beiza owed him money. Feeling disrespected after the call, Youell, accompanied by a group of individuals, traveled in an SUV to confront Beiza. A physical altercation broke out between Beiza and Youell, during which Youell sustained a fatal stab wound to the chest. Shortly after Beiza was shot, Youell was driven to Allenmore Hospital, where he died during surgery.
In the immediate aftermath of the initial scuffle, as Beiza attempted to flee, at least two individuals from the SUV opened fire, striking him multiple times. Investigators later recovered twenty-two 9mm shell casings and a knife from the scene of the shooting. The sound of the gunfire was so loud that it startled members of the nearby Eastside Community Church who were in the middle of a bible study.
An investigation into the double homicide led to the arrest of six individuals connected to the incident. The suspects, whose ages ranged from 16 to 30, faced charges of second-degree murder. Among those charged were Ronny Daniel Fernandez, 21, and Marcia Judith Ugalde, 18. Ultimately, four individuals were convicted in connection with Beiza's death. Jesus Chuy Lopez Jr. and Andy Campos Roman, the two shooters, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and were sentenced to 22 years and over 16 years in prison, respectively. Ronny Daniel Fernandez received a 15-year sentence, and Joe Duque Martinez was sentenced to 14 and a half years for their roles in the crime. Charges against two other individuals, Katherine Elieth Ugalde-Torres and Marcia Judith Ugalde, were later dismissed.
