Crime

Stolen gun led to killing of a Pasco mom, police say. 2nd suspect arrested

Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.

Read our AI Policy.

  • Pasco police say a stolen gun dispute led to the July 23 killing of a woman.
  • Suspects Sanchez and Villegas face second-degree murder charges and $2M bail.
  • Law enforcement arrested Sanchez in Sunnyside with help from FBI and U.S. Marshals.
Pasco, WA

Two men are charged with killing a 23-year-old mother in a Pasco apartment during an argument about a stolen gun.

Jose Sanchez, 30, allegedly drove from Yakima to a Marie Street apartment on July 22 because Lupita Ponce-Penaloza had stolen a gun from him, court documents said.

Before he left, police believe Sanchez and Jonathon Villegas, 30, shot and killed her.

Lupita Ponce-Penaloza, a 23-year-old mother, was shot to death inside a detached garage turned apartment on Marie Street in Pasco. in July. A second man has been arrested in her death.
Lupita Ponce-Penaloza, a 23-year-old mother, was shot to death inside a detached garage turned apartment on Marie Street in Pasco. in July. A second man has been arrested in her death. Courtesy GoFundMe

Villegas was arrested in Pendleton, Ore., soon after the murder, but police did not make public Sanchez’s identity until he was arrested in Sunnyside this week.

Pasco police revealed Friday that he was arrested by Pasco and Sunnyside police in Sunnyside on a warrant, the FBI and U.S. Marshals.

Sanchez and Villegas are each charged with second-degree murder and are being held in the Franklin jail in lieu of $2 million bail.

Pasco shooting

Ponce-Penaloza went to the garage turned apartment at the Marie Street home on July 22 to meet with Villegas, who she knew as “Trucha,” court documents said.

In a message to a friend, Ponce-Penaloza questioned whether “Trucha” had “set her up.”

Electronic data that police received through search warrants shows Villegas contacted Sanchez and let him know he was with Ponce-Penaloza. Sanchez then drove to the Pasco home. When he arrived, an argument about the stolen gun began, said court documents.

Lupita Ponce-Penaloza, 23, was shot to death inside a detached garage turned apartment on Marie Street in Pasco on July 23 . A second man has been arrested in her death.
Lupita Ponce-Penaloza, 23, was shot to death inside a detached garage turned apartment on Marie Street in Pasco on July 23 . A second man has been arrested in her death. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

Villegas, then Sanchez allegedly shot Ponce-Penaloza several times about 2:20 a.m. July 23. She died at the scene, court documents said.

Murder suspect Jonathon Villegas, left, appears via a video link earlier this month in Franklin County Superior Court. He's accused in the shooting death of Lupita Ponce-Penaloza inside a detached garage turned apartment on Marie Street in Pasco.
Murder suspect Jonathon Villegas, left, appears via a video link earlier this month in Franklin County Superior Court. He's accused in the shooting death of Lupita Ponce-Penaloza inside a detached garage turned apartment on Marie Street in Pasco. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

Sanchez allegedly fled to Yakima, court documents said.

Washington State Patrol crime lab investigators have confirmed two different calibers of shell casings were found at the apartment.

Police confirmed that Ponce-Penaloza had stolen a gun from Sanchez on June 8.

This story was originally published August 29, 2025 at 12:46 PM.

Related Stories from Tri-City Herald
CP
Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
509-416-6478
Cameron Probert covers breaking news for the Tri-City Herald, where he tries to answer reader questions about why police officers and firefighters are in your neighborhood. He studied communications at Washington State University.https://mycheckout.tri-cityherald.com/subscribe?ofrgp_id=394&g2i_or_o=Event&g2i_or_p=Reporter&cid=news_cta_0.99-1mo-15.99-on-article_202404
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW