Overview

• Gonzalo Leon Jr., 42, is charged with murder in the Aug. 30 shooting of Julián Guzman and was arrested by a SWAT team at a La Quinta motel after initially being questioned and released.
• An autopsy found Guzman died from a gunshot wound to the back, and the district attorney said the boys were at least 20 feet from the house and posed no threat.
• A witness, the victim’s cousin, told investigators Leon emerged dressed in black, fired once into the ground, then shot at the fleeing boys, after which he walked back into his home.
• Police executing a search warrant reported seizing about 20 firearms, including AR‑style rifles, from Leon’s residence, and prosecutors cited his motel arrest location in arguing he was a flight risk.
• Prosecutors are considering seeking a capital murder charge because of the victim’s age, with the case expected to go to a grand jury within about 90 days, though the death penalty would not apply, according to the district attorney.