PHILADELPHIA (March 13, 2023) — District Attorney Larry Krasner and members of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Homicide and Non-Fatal Shooting Unit today announced the conviction and sentencing of Luis Garcia (DOB 12/6/1989) for his role in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Jonathan Rosa Camacho in 2021. Garcia was found guilty by a Philadelphia jury of First Degree Murder, Possessing an Instrument of Crime, and related illegal firearm violations last week.On the evening of January 4, 2021, Jonathan Rosa Camacho was riding his bike home on the 4200 block of Fairhill Street in North Philadelphia, after stopping at a nearby convenience store, when he was spotted by the defendant. Garcia proceeded to shoot Camacho eight times after the teen rode past him. The defendant then fled down the street to a Subaru Legacy operated by his co-defendant.
Investigators began obtaining video surveillance footage from several locations in the vicinity of the murder. One piece of footage showed the defendant in a Chinese food store shortly before the killing wearing very distinct footwear and a plainly visible cross-body pack. Additional footage also depicted Garcia wearing those same items while fleeing the scene after the shooting.While continuing to gather more video evidence approximately one week after the murder, Philadelphia Police detectives spotted the same Subaru Legacy in the neighborhood. Police stopped the vehicle, which was registered to Garcia’s co-defendant, Eric Santiago. Search warrants were obtained and executed by investigators for the vehicle and cellphones of the defendants. Additional evidence was obtained through these warrants, including the recovery of the body pack worn by Garcia on the night of the shooting.
The defendants were later confronted with this evidence during interrogation, whereupon they provided Mirandized confessions admitting to their involvement in the murder of Camacho. It was determined during this interrogation that Garcia gunned down the teen because he believed Camacho was associated with another individual that Garcia was targeting for murder.“Thanks to the excellent prosecution of this tragic case by Assistant District Attorneys Helen Park and Kristin Pachell, along with the diligent investigation by Philadelphia Police detectives, the streets of Philadelphia are safer,” said DA Krasner. “With this conviction and sentencing, my office continues to send the message to those who may be contemplating senseless acts of violence: You will be caught and convicted.”
“This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of a 16-year-old boy from the this world,” said ADA Park. “My thanks to Jonathan’s family for their patience and faith in a system that although imperfect, did achieve justice in this case. Justice for this young man could not have been achieved without the diligence of Assistant District Attorney David Osborne, Philadelphia Police Department Detectives Vincent Parker, Orlando Ortiz, and Thorsten Lucke. Officers Tyshaan Williams and Jeremy Caraballo should also be commended for attempting to save Jonathan’s life after they arrived on scene. And finally, thanks to Victim Services Coordinator Bridget Eatmon for assisting the family in the aftermath of this tragic and senseless crime.”“We wish we could have been there to hold Jonathan so he wouldn’t be alone while taking his last breath,” wrote Camacho’s family in a Victim Impact Statement read to the court during Garcia’s sentencing last week. “At such a young age, Jonathan did everything he could to protect his mother and family. He had so many hopes and dreams about what he wanted to be in the future, and what he wanted to do to make sure his mother and family were taken care of. His loss has pierced a hole in our family that will never be filled again.”
Garcia was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole followed by a consecutive term of 4.5-12 years of state incarceration by the Hon. Glenn B. Bronson.
CONTACT:Dustin Slaughter, 215-686-8713, [email protected]
***The below images are provided by Jonathan Camacho’s family for use by members of the news media.***
