On the evening of March 30, 2017, in Burlington, Washington, a young life was tragically cut short. Angel Estrada, a 16-year-old Hispanic male, was found with multiple gunshot wounds at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Heritage Place. Police were dispatched to the scene around 11:25 p.m. following reports of gunshots. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Estrada, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to a physical altercation
that had occurred just before the fatal shots were fired. Authorities soon identified two teenage suspects. The shooter was identified as 15-year-old Cristian Alexander Quijas. Another teenager, 17-year-old Daniel Gracida, was accused of handing the gun to Quijas. The motive behind the violent act was revealed to be a combination of gang rivalry and a personal dispute; Estrada, a member of a rival gang, was dating Quijas's sister. The incident was reported to the police by the shooter's 17-year-old sister, who told them her brother had shot her boyfriend.
Within days of the shooting, both suspects were in custody. Quijas was charged with second-degree murder, and a judge determined he would be tried as an adult despite being 15 at the time of the crime. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the charge. Daniel Gracida was also charged as an adult and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree manslaughter for his role in providing the weapon. He was subsequently sentenced to four years in detention.
