LYNNWOOD, Wash., June 13, 2023—On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Lynnwood Police Department Detectives announced the arrest of three individuals in connection with the Spruce Park homicides that took place on July 14th, 2022.

That night, responding officers found two male victims—15-year-old Tidus Goodwin-Linville and 16-year-old Jesus Sanchez Jr.—with life-threatening gunshot wounds in Spruce Park at around 9:15 p.m. The victims were immediately transported to area hospitals where they later succumbed to their injuries.

On Tuesday, one juvenile and two adults, aged 29 and 24 years old, were taken into custody and charged with aggravated murder in the first degree. According to the Snohomish County jail roster, the adult suspects are Jose Alfredo Beteran and Christian Jovany Chavez.

Chavez is charged with two counts of Aggravated Murder 1, a Class A Felony, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class B Felony. Beteran is charged with two counts of Murder 1 [Non-Family-Weapon], a Class A Felony. If convicted, both suspects are facing life imprisonment. Bond is set at $2,000,000 for each suspect.

In 2011, Beteran, 16 at the time, was sentenced to 10 years in adult prison on October 25, for shooting a 17-year-old boy outside Horizen Elementary School in May. For this incident that took place at the basketball court, he pled guilty to first-degree assault.

Between November of 2022 to April of 2023, Chavez was arrested multiple times for the following incidents:

• Attempt to elude, Felony C, Everett Police Department
• Firearm possession unlawful 2, Felony C, Everett Police Department
• Assault 4 DV, Gross Misdemeanor, Everett Police Department
• Driving with suspended license 2, Dismissed
• Driving under the influence, sentenced March 31, 2023, served 1 day
• Reckless Endangerment, Gross Misdemeanor
• Driving with suspended license 2, Gross Misdemeanor
• Driving with suspended license 2, Gross Misdemeanor
• Malicious Mischief 3 DV, Gross Misdemeanor
• Theft 3

Chavez was released from the Snohomish County Jail on April 11 and on bond for Malicious Mischief 3 DV and Theft 3, when he was apprehended by Lynnwood Police.

“This terrible crime has forever changed the lives of the family, friends and loved ones of these two teenage members of our community, whose lives were senselessly cut short far too soon,” said Chief Jim Nelson. “This investigation has remained a priority for our detectives and the Snohomish County Prosecutors, who have remained steadfast and unrelenting in their pursuit of those responsible for this heinous act, which has led to the arrest of these three suspects. Our thoughts remain with the family members of these two young men.”

In a response to the shooting, Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell in a statement released in July of 2022, committed to increasing law enforcement staffing levels.

“We are committed to ensuring that Lynnwood’s Parks and our neighborhoods are a safe and welcoming place for all people to enjoy, and we are working hard to address these issues now and into the future,” Mayor Frizzell wrote.

It is unknown if these suspects were involved in a drive-by shooting that took place just a day prior to the fatal shooting at Spruce Park.

Three suspects arrested in connection to Spruce Park homicides

LYNNWOOD, WA (June 13, 2023)-On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Lynnwood Police Department Detectives arrested three individuals in connection with the Spruce Park homicides that took place on July 14th, 2022. pic.twitter.com/brsr2GZOwq

— Lynnwood Police (@LynnwoodPD) June 13, 2023

SOURCE: Lynnwood Police Department with additions by Lynnwood Times.