Lupita Ponce-Penaloza, 23, was found fatally shot inside a detached garage converted to an apartment on Marie Street in Pasco, Washington, in the early morning hours of July 23, 2025. Police say she suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene after officers were called at about 2:30 a.m.

Investigators identified 30-year-old Jonathon Villegas as a primary suspect and say evidence linked him to the shooting. Ponce-Penaloza had reportedly gone to the apartment to meet Villegas, known as Trucha, and sent texts to a friend beforehand expressing unease and asking the friend to be ready to call 911. Authorities say an argument broke out at the apartment between Ponce-Penaloza, Villegas, and 30-year-old Jose Sanchez over an alleged stolen gun. Witnesses told police Villegas retrieved a handgun and shot Ponce-Penaloza, and one witness said Sanchez also fired. Crime lab work reportedly recovered shell casings of two different calibers at the scene.

A manhunt followed; Villegas was taken into custody in Pendleton, Oregon, and Sanchez was arrested in Sunnyside with federal assistance. Both men have been charged with second-degree murder and are being held on $2 million bail. Did anyone who knew Lupita, Villegas, or Sanchez have information about their movements that night?