One adult, two minors arrested in connection to shooting death of minor in MV on Aug. 7

MONTE VISTA — Three people, including two minor females, were arrested Thursday, Aug. 11, in connection to the reported shooting death of a minor female, according to the Monte Vista Police Department.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7, MVPD officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 300 block of Monroe Street in Monte Vista. Upon arrival, officers found a juvenile female who had sustained a gunshot wound. Emergency medical services personnel arrived and pronounced the juvenile deceased.

On Aug. 11, after an investigation, reviewing evidence and conducting interviews, detectives with the Monte Vista Police Department established probable cause that led to arrest warrants for three people.

Two juvenile females were arrested on suspicion of reckless manslaughter and possession of a handgun by juveniles, MVPD reported. They are at the Pueblo Youth Detention Center.

Emiliano Vargas, 21, Monte Vista, who was the owner of the gun, was also arrested on suspicion of secure firearm storage required and unlawfully
providing or permitting a juvenile to possess a handgun, MVPD reported. He was booked into the Rio Grande County Jail.

"We remind the public a new law went into effect in July, which requires firearms to be properly and safely secured to prevent access by juveniles," MVPD Police Chief George Dingfelder stated.

The case is now in the hands of the 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office.


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