Derek G Garcia, 24, of Portales, New Mexico, died on July 27, 2019, from a single gunshot wound to the chest during an early-morning house party at a residence near 510 E. 18th St. The Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office investigated an altercation involving multiple people; about 20 partygoers were present and several bottles of alcohol were observed. Two other men were injured in the incident: Quintin Carmichael, 20, was shot in the leg, and Nino Darienzo, 22, sustained multiple injuries.

Devin Guidry II, 22, admitted to shooting Garcia and told investigators he acted in self-defense after Garcia allegedly attacked him with a knife. Police executed nine search warrants across three residences and one vehicle, recovering items that included .40-caliber casings, loaded magazines, brass knuckles, at least two pocket knives and alcohol; alcohol, casings and two knives were found at the scene itself. Witness interviews reportedly included at least four people who said they directly observed the shooting.

In February 2020 Ninth District Attorney Andrea Reeb announced a grand jury declined to charge Guidry and no charges were filed, with the district attorney saying the evidence supported both guilt and innocence. Garcia was a U.S. Army veteran and paratrooper remembered by family and friends as a well-respected member of his community.

Did anyone at the party or in Portales have information that hasn’t been shared publicly?