Pueblo police were called to a quiet neighborhood just after 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 26, where gunfire shattered the early morning calm and left a young woman dead and another person wounded inside a home on East 14th Street. Detectives say this is the city’s second homicide so far this year and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
When officers arrived at the house on the east side of Pueblo, they found 20‑year‑old Evie Jesica Gallegos inside the residence. She had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene. A second victim, also shot at least once, was conscious and talking with officers. That person was taken to a local hospital and treated for injuries police described as non‑life‑threatening.
Investigators quickly secured the scene and began gathering evidence, trying to trace what led to the deadly morning violence. At this stage, police have not released many details about the relationship between the victims or why the shooting may have occurred.
Chief among the police investigation is a search for 20‑year‑old Leandro Medina. Police obtained an arrest warrant charging him with first‑degree murder and first‑degree assault in connection with the case. Authorities describe Medina as armed and dangerous, and say he is not in custody. Residents are being asked to be vigilant and to contact law enforcement immediately if they see someone matching his description.
The shooting has rattled neighbors who say they are shocked to wake up to news of such violence in what has, until now, been a relatively peaceful street. Many in the community are expressing concern about safety and the impact of gun violence on local families.
Gallegos’ death is being treated with seriousness by the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office, which has notified her next of kin. The office has said autopsy results and an official cause of death will be released once they are complete.
As police continue to follow leads, the wounded survivor’s family has been left to deal with both physical and emotional recovery. Friends and loved ones have described Evie as someone with a bright smile and a future that was cut far too short.
Police say the investigation is active and ongoing, and that this incident serves as a stark reminder of the sudden and tragic toll that violence can take on a community.
