Third Suspect Identified in De Queen Fatal Shooting Case

De Queen — A third suspect has now been publicly identified in connection with a February shooting in De Queen that left one teenager dead and two others injured.

According to court records, 18-year-old Christian Soto is being held in the Sevier County Jail after being transferred from juvenile detention earlier this month when he turned 18. Soto has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court May 28 for a pretrial hearing. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Two other suspects also remain charged in the case. Twenty-one-year-old Tristan Mendoza faces charges including first-degree murder and remains jailed on a $500,000 bond. Eighteen-year-old Kaytlon Huesca is charged as an accomplice to murder and was released after posting bond.

Investigators believe the three suspects were involved in the February 2 shooting death of 16-year-old Jonathan Morales. Two other victims survived the shooting.

The De Queen Police Department said all three suspects were arrested within 48 hours of the incident.