On a tragic Friday night in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the life of 29-year-old Edwin James Garcia-Smith, a White/Caucasian male, was cut short by gun violence on March 20, 2020. The incident unfolded on Campus Drive, where police responded to reports of gunshots and found Garcia-Smith deceased at the scene. Another individual, a 32-year-old woman, was also discovered with a non-fatal gunshot wound to her thigh.
The investigation into the homicide quickly revealed a complex situation
involving drugs and gang affiliations. Authorities determined that the shooting was a targeted attack. Information from the surviving victim indicated that Garcia-Smith was involved in selling large quantities of marijuana and had ties to the Latin Kings street gang. It is believed that the suspects had planned to rob Garcia-Smith.
Investigators identified three suspects in connection with the murder, all of whom were reported to be members of the Latin Kings from Illinois. The suspects were identified as Juan Olivarez, Ian Karns, and Joe Moya. A significant lead in the case came from neighbors and tipsters who reported a dark-colored SUV, which was traced back to Olivarez. Further evidence, including a gun and a magazine recovered from the scene, linked Karns to the crime through fingerprint analysis. Surveillance footage from local stores also played a role in identifying the suspects.
Following the investigation, all three men were charged with first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime. Olivarez and Moya were subsequently arrested in Chicago, while Karns remained at large for a period. Eventually, both Juan Olivarez and Joe Moya reached plea deals with prosecutors. In early 2022, Moya pleaded guilty to being a party to felony murder and aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon, with four other charges being dismissed as part of the agreement. Olivarez had previously pleaded guilty to the same charges.
