CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A tragic Halloween night in Chula Vista turned deadly when two teenagers were shot and killed during a party, prompting police to arrest an 18-year-old suspect. David Garcia was taken into custody near his home in National City and has since been charged with murder following the shooting that claimed the lives of 15-year-old Kane Roldan and 17-year-old Elias Yanez.
The violence erupted shortly after 11 p.m., reportedly following an argument among attendees at the gathering on East Prospect Street. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, but the situation escalated with devastating consequences.
Kane Roldan’s foster mother, Georgina Martinez, received the heart-wrenching news from her eldest son, who was at the party. He told her they couldn’t locate Kane. “We can’t find Kane,” she recalled him saying, a statement that no parent should have to hear. Upon arriving at the scene, Martinez was met with police barricades and a heavy law enforcement presence, signaling the severity of the incident. She was later directed to UC San Diego Medical Center, where she learned Kane had not survived.
Describing Kane as the “light of their home,” Martinez shared that he was a passionate basketball player with an infectious personality. She reflected on the profound journey he had taken after overcoming significant challenges in his early life. Just days before his death, Kane sent her a touching message expressing his gratitude for her support, saying he loved her and appreciated everything she had done for him.
Martinez has been vocal in her call for justice, urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. “These two kids had so much going for them, and they had their lives robbed,” she pleaded, emphasizing the urgency of bringing those responsible to justice.
In the wake of this tragedy, Kane’s foster family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral costs, a further testament to the community’s loss. As law enforcement continues its investigation, families and friends are left grappling with the profound sadness of a night that was meant for celebration.
While Garcia has been arrested, the investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to uncover any possible motives and additional suspects involved in the tragic event. The community is left to mourn the loss of two young lives with bright futures ahead of them, taken too soon in an act of violence that has resonated pain throughout Chula Vista.