COLUMBIA, Pa. — Four additional individuals, including an adult and three teenagers, have been charged in connection with a fatal shooting in Columbia Borough that claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy in July, according to Lancaster County authorities.

The charges stem from the July 18 shooting inside an apartment in the 900 block of Plane Street, where 17-year-old Wilfredo Garcia was fatally shot in the head. Prosecutors allege that Jose Manuel Lopez III, who was previously charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and related offenses, caused Garcia’s death while handling a handgun inside the residence.

Additional Charges Filed

Authorities announced charges against:

• Bryant Ramos, 19, of the 2200 block of Oak Hollow Drive, West Hempfield Township, charged with:
  • Hindering apprehension or prosecution
  • Tampering with evidence
  • Criminal conspiracy to commit both offenses
  • Carrying a firearm without a license
• Xxavior Michener, 19, of the 900 block of Plane Street, Columbia Borough, charged with:
  • Carrying a firearm without a license
• Tamara Rosario, 42, of the 900 block of Plane Street, Columbia Borough, charged with:
  • Hindering apprehension or prosecution
  • Furnishing alcohol to minors
  • Corruption of minors
• A 17-year-old male juvenile, charged with:
  • Hindering apprehension or prosecution
  • Tampering with evidence
  • Criminal conspiracy
  • Carrying a firearm without a license
  • Possessing a firearm as a minor

Investigators said all four defendants were present in the apartment at the time of the shooting.

Weapons Allegedly Passed Among Group

According to court documents, Michener allegedly possessed the 9mm handgun later identified as the weapon used in the shooting, while Garcia possessed a .40-caliber handgun.

Authorities said several teenagers gathered inside the apartment, where alcohol was being consumed and firearms, accessories and parts were reportedly handled throughout the evening. Investigators allege that Garcia, Lopez and others passed the weapons around, took photos and videos with them, and pointed laser sights at one another.

At some point during the gathering, prosecutors allege Lopez was handling the 9mm handgun when it discharged, striking and killing Garcia.

Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams described the circumstances as deeply troubling.

“The disturbing amount of crimes recently involving juveniles or young adults with firearms is a serious issue,” Adams said. “There is nothing positive that can come from juveniles illegally possessing guns. The mere presence of a firearm increases the risk of a situation becoming violent, even if unintended. In this case, the sheer disregard for the law and the recklessness evident by all is shocking.”

Alleged Cover-Up After the Shooting

Investigators claim that after the shooting, Ramos and the juvenile collected both firearms and other gun-related items, placed them in a shoebox and removed them from the apartment.

Police say the weapons and accessories were then hidden in multiple locations.

Following an extensive investigation that included numerous interviews and searches, authorities recovered:

• The 9mm handgun in the Lititz area
• The .40-caliber handgun in the York area
• Additional firearm parts from a vehicle in the Mount Joy area

Officials allege Rosario, who is Garcia’s mother, initially concealed the identities of those present in the apartment and provided misleading information to investigators regarding how many people were inside the residence when the shooting occurred.

According to authorities, all individuals present at the scene provided inconsistent accounts during multiple interviews conducted over more than a week.

Investigation Required Hundreds of Hours

District Attorney Adams praised the efforts of Columbia Borough Police and Lancaster County Detectives, noting the complexity of the case.

“I once again would like to commend both Columbia Borough police and the Lancaster County Detectives for their diligent work investigating this tragedy,” Adams said. “Many don’t realize the amount of time and effort that law enforcement puts into these cases. In this case, it took hundreds of hours of manpower before these charges were filed.”

Court Proceedings

Preliminary arraignments were held on August 3. District Judge Michael Hess set unsecured bail at $50,000 for both Michener and Ramos. Rosario was expected to surrender to authorities later that day, while the juvenile turned themselves in to Juvenile Probation on August 3.

The charges were filed by Columbia Borough Police Officer Frank Ember III, and the case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Callista Chartier.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Source: Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office via CRIMEWATCH