Pueblo police are intensifying their search for a suspect accused of killing a young woman and injuring another early Thursday morning. The shooting, which took place in the 2800 block of East 14th Street, has left a community on edge and a warrant out for an armed man they say should not be approached.
Officers responded around 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 after neighbors reported hearing gunshots. Inside the house, they found one victim, later identified as 20‑year‑old Evie Jesica Gallegos, dead from gunshot wounds. A second person at the location had also been shot and was quickly taken to a hospital, where officials say their injuries are not expected to be life threatening.
Police immediately began canvassing the area, speaking with neighbors and searching for evidence. Within hours, detectives had obtained a warrant for 20‑year‑old suspect Leandro Medina, charging him with first‑degree murder and assault. Investigators are urging anyone who spots Medina, or has information on his whereabouts, to call authorities, stressing that he is considered both armed and dangerous.
The scene on East 14th Street was cordoned off for much of the day as officers combed through forensic evidence and interviewed witnesses. Residents have expressed concern about the rarity of such violence in their neighborhood and the fact that a suspect remains free.
Neighbors said they are cooperating with police and watching out for one another, but many feel uneasy in the absence of concrete answers. Some spoke of Gallegos as a friendly face in the community, a young woman known to locals who now won’t be seen again.
Police have tried to reassure the public that patrols have increased and that tips from residents are vital to moving the case forward. They’ve emphasized that no one should try to confront the suspect on their own.
The Pueblo County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that Gallegos’ family has been notified and that further updates will be provided after the autopsy. Her death marks the second homicide in Pueblo this year, following an unrelated shooting earlier in February.
As investigators work around the clock, the community is left grappling with grief and seeking answers about how a morning in Pueblo could end in such sudden loss. Residents are being reminded that ongoing cooperation with law enforcement could be the key to bringing charges and some closure to those affected.
