Charges that were filed this week against a 13-year-old boy and his uncle in a drive-by shooting in Des Moines have been dropped. Police arrested 35-year-old Jesus Garcia and 13-year-old Alfredo Garcia shorly after the shooting was reported early Sunday morning.
The victim, 31-year-old Brandy Ratliff, died enroute to a Des Moines hospital. The murder charges against the Garcias are being dropped because witnesses lied about what they knew, a police spokesperson said today.
Sergeant Vince Valdez says Jesus Garcia is still being held until immigration officials can determine if he is in the country legally. Alfredo Garcia has been turned over to the Iowa Department of Human Services. Valdez says the two witnesses, who lied about what they saw, will not face charges.