TEEN BROTHERS CHARGED IN MURDER OF 15-YEAR-OLD

TACOMA, WA – Today Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Luis Arroyo, 16, with Murder in the First Degree and Robbery in the First Degree for the brutal killing of Hector Hernandez-Valdez, 15. The defendant’s 14-year-old brother, Cristobal Arroyo, has been charged with Murder in the First Degree. In accordance with Washington State law, L. Arroyo is being prosecuted as an adult. A judge will determine at a later hearing if C. Arroyo will be prosecuted as an adult.

“This is a horrible, adult-sized crime, and it’s appropriate and just that the older brother be prosecuted and held accountable in the adult system,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.

On Friday, June 1, around 2:00 p.m., the defendants’ mother reported to Tacoma Police that she had arrived home to find blood and a dead body in her house. She told police she came home from work at lunch and found a blue recycle bin in the living room. She saw towels with reddish-brown stains on the floor. Her sons told her they were cleaning up “chili” but the woman realized it was blood. Her sons claimed a man had attacked them and they were forced to kill him. The woman went upstairs and saw a boy lying on a sheet, dead. She then drove to the police substation to report the crime. Officers arrived at the eastside home and found the victim’s body, wrapped in a blanket, in a recycling bin in the alley behind the residence.

The victim apparently came to the home to meet with defendant L. Arroyo. When L. Arroyo, who was armed with a knife, attempted to take the victim’s marijuana and cash, a fight resulted. C. Arroyo heard the struggle and saw his older brother fighting over a knife with the victim. He armed himself with a “large nail” and joined in, stabbing the victim in the neck and back. The brothers then moved the victim into the bathtub to “drain him.” The victim was still alive and making noises. One of the brothers cut his throat to kill him. They dumped the victim’s body in a recycling bin and were attempting to clean the crime scene when their mother came home.

During a search of the residence, investigators found two “BB” guns, a knife, a machete, a “shank” or makeshift stabbing instrument, and trash bags loaded with used cleaning materials. Investigators counted more than 34 stab and slash wounds on the victim. The blade of a knife appeared to be broken off in the victim’s head. The Pierce County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy today. L. Arroyo had cash and marijuana belonging to the victim when he was arrested.

Defendant L. Arroyo will be arraigned this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 270 in the County City Building. Juvenile respondent C. Arroyo will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom JCD1 at Remann Hall, located at 5501 6th Avenue in Tacoma. Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Becky Stover, Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
253-798-4910
rstover@co.pierce.wa.us