Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in Deadly De Queen Shooting

DE QUEEN – Another suspect connected to a February shooting that left a 16-year-old dead has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.

According to court records, 21-year-old Tristan Mendoza was arraigned in Sevier County Circuit Court on April 9 after being extradited earlier this month from the McCurtain County Detention Center. Mendoza entered a not guilty plea to charges of first-degree murder, unlawful use of a firearm from a vehicle, and two counts of first-degree battery.

He remains in custody at the Sevier County Jail on a $500,000 bond. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May 28, with a jury trial set to begin June 24 if his plea stands.

Another suspect, 18-year-old Kaytlon Huesca, is also facing charges in connection with the case. She is charged as an accomplice to first-degree murder along with two counts of first-degree battery. Huesca was arraigned in late February, and her bond was later reduced from $500,000 to $125,000. She has since been released after posting bond and is also scheduled for a pretrial hearing on May 28.

A third suspect, a juvenile, has not been publicly identified and is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility. Authorities have indicated the case could be moved to adult court.

Investigators say the three suspects were involved in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Jonathan Morales of De Queen around 9 p.m. on February 2. Two additional victims were injured but survived.

The shooting took place at a residence in the 200 block of Vandervoort Avenue, where officers recovered numerous shell casings of different calibers. The De Queen Police Department reported that suspects were quickly identified, and officials have stated the incident is not believed to be gang-related.

All three suspects were taken into custody within 48 hours of the shooting.