In the bustling parking lot of a Pasco, Washington grocery store on the evening of February 4, 2015, a confrontation over colors escalated into a fatal act of violence that claimed the life of 42-year-old Hispanic male, Juan Carlos Melgoza. The night was busy with adults and children coming and going from the Fiesta Foods, oblivious to the tragic events about to unfold. Melgoza, a longtime Pasco resident, was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
An autopsy would later reveal that he likely died instantly.
The initial investigation into the shooting involved a review of grainy surveillance footage from the store, which showed two suspects approaching Melgoza. Although the video captured the moments leading up to the shooting, the actual act was not clearly visible. Police initially described the suspects as being in their late teens or early 20s. For three months, the case remained a priority for Pasco detectives as they worked to identify those responsible for Melgoza's death in the crowded public space.
A break in the case came in May 2015, leading to the arrests of 20-year-old Chris Pedroza-DeSantiago and his 15-year-old associate, Abraham Barajas. Court documents revealed that the fatal encounter began with a heated verbal argument between Pedroza-DeSantiago and Melgoza over the latter wearing red, a color associated with a rival gang. Though they initially separated, an enraged Pedroza-DeSantiago enlisted the help of Barajas with a desire for vindication. The two returned to the parking lot, and after a brief, disturbing argument between them about who would carry out the act, Pedroza-DeSantiago approached Melgoza and shot him in the back.
The investigation was significantly aided by the testimony of Pedroza-DeSantiago's former girlfriend, who was with him at the store, and Barajas himself. Barajas disturbingly recounted how he and Pedroza-DeSantiago planned the attack, even arguing over who would pull the trigger. After the shooting, the two fled the scene. Pedroza-DeSantiago was eventually arrested during a traffic stop, while Barajas was already in juvenile detention on an unrelated matter. Pedroza-DeSantiago was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Barajas faced charges of first-degree murder and criminal conspiracy.
