Shooting that killed Galena Park HS senior near campus may have been drug-related, police say
GALENA PARK, Texas (KTRK) -- A Galena Park High School senior who was shot to death in the parking lot of a community center has been identified by officials and a suspect has been arrested, police said.
At about 4:30 p.m. Thursday, 17-year-old Marcos Orta was at the Galena Park Community Center, which shares property with the high school, meeting a group of individuals before police say he was shot.
"It's like losing a brother man," one of Orta's friends, said "That's my little brother right there. Now I'm never going to hear his voice, never going to see him, I can't do anything anymore man. We live in a cruel (expletive) world, man. All we can do is push through it."
On Friday, investigators arrested the suspect, identified as 17-year-old Johnny Lewis, and charged him with robbery and the murder of Orta.
The Galena Park Police Department responded to the shooting in the 1300 block of Keene Street.
Deputies said it may have been drug-related, but investigators are talking to Orta's friends who were with him before he died.
Orta's friend said he heard three gun shots.
"When I got here I saw (him) on the floor, I didn't want to believe it was him," he said. "But when I got a little closer, I saw a lot that I didn't want to see."
While a description of the suspects is limited, authorities said they were described as two teenage Black men. They left in a silver sedan, possibly a Toyota, and the sheriff's office said it may release video of that vehicle.
In addition, a weapon was found at the scene, but it's unclear if it belonged to the teen or the suspect(s).
Though Galena Park High School had a pre-scheduled day off on Friday, the school made counselors available for students.
"This sucks. He didn't deserve this man," the friend said.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Shooting that killed 17-year-old near Galena Park HS was 'not accidental,' authorities say
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