Man Accused of Christmas Eve Kennewick Murder Goes On Trial

It was a case that shocked Kennewick, as well as the region.

21-year-old Luisa A. Garcia-Farias died Christmas Eve 2015, when she was fatally shot by her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Francisco Javier Munoz Quintero, and her body was found dumped in the road in the 600 block of North Tweedt Street in Kennewick.

Authorities say around 11:20pm that night, they were alerted to a report of a shooting and the woman was found near 609 North Tweedt.

Quintero later turned himself in to authorities after his picture and vehicle description were released by local media and Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers.

According to court documents and Quintero's own reported admittance, he shot the woman, then left her in the road and drove back to his home in Mabton.

Quintero initially said they were having an argument, and claimed when he pointed a gun at her, she tried to grab it and it went off.  Her 22-month old daughter was in the back seat of the car when she was shot.

Prosecutors say Quintero had a history of violent statements and threats during their relationship. Prosecutors say he called a relative and admitted shooting her after she refused to get back together with him.  Defense attorneys in opening statements said while his actions may have been reckless they were not intentional.