Teens Face Charges In Connection With Cheyenne November Fatal Shooting

Three teenage males will face charges in connection with a fatal shooting in November in northwest Cheyenne.

That's according to Cheyenne Police Department spokeswoman Alex Farkas.

In a Wednesday afternoon news release, Farkas said a 17-year-old is now facing charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Vincent Gardea on November 12 on Ridgeland Street.

Details Of Case

Two 16-year-old face charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery and accessory, aid and abet aggravated robbery.

Farkas says police were initially called out on a report of a shooting and vehicle crash on November 12 in the area of Ridgeland Road and Evers Boulevard. When police arrived on the scene they found a pickup truck had crashed through a wooden fence and into the backyard of a nearby home.

The officers found an 18-year-old, later identified as Vincent Gardea unresponsive with a gunshot wound behind the wheel of the pickup. He was later declared dead at the scene.

In the Wednesday news release, Farkas wrote the following:

"Investigators determined the incident began as a firearm sale. Gardea and two 16-year-old friends drove a pickup truck to a residence on Ridgeland Street to purchase a firearm from the 17-year-old. Before arriving, the group decided to forcefully take the weapon from the seller without paying.

At the home, Gardea exited the truck armed with his own gun and struck the 17-year-old with the firearm in order to rob him. During the altercation Gardea was shot. He was able to re-enter the truck and drive a short distance before crashing."

Farkas says investigators recovered several guns during their probe of the incident. One of the firearms had apparently been modified to become fully automatic.