Family members say 18-year-old Adrian Beltran graduated from a California high school in mid-June (Beltran Family Photo / June 27, 2009)
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SEATAC -
Adrian Beltran just graduated from a California high school and arrived in the Seattle-area Tuesday to celebrate his diploma with proud family members. By late Wednesday, the teen was dead and King County Sheriff's detectives were looking for suspects.
Beltran was riding in a car with four family members and friends at about 11:30 pm Wednesday. They were driving on Military Road South when a second car came up behind and turned on S. 140th. Someone in that car opened fire and shot Beltran in the back.
The men drove to Highline Hospital but Beltran collapsed in the entrance to the Emergency Room and died. Investigators believe the shooter was riding in a white, 1990's 4-door BMW 5-series. If anyone has information about the shooting or the vehicle, they should call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311.
Family members say they're desparate for answers. Beltran overcame many obstacles to finish high school and his family maintains he was not in a gang. They don't know why anyone would hurt him but believe it could be a case of mistaken identity. His cousin Rosa Murillo said "it's devastating because we don't know why." Murillo also told Q13 Fox News "we don't want questions, we just want answers."
Beltran graduated from Santa Ana High School in mid-June. He was going to spend the summer working in the Seattle-area but his sister said just after he arrived, he found out he could start school. Elvia Beltran said "he learned that he got accepted and he was going to get a scholarship, so he changed plans." Beltran said his ultimate goal was to be a police officer and try to stop the violence that plagued his southern California neighborhood.
Beltran's nephew Daniel Ramirez said his uncle was a role model "he didn't want me to do bad, he wanted me to stay in school." Ramirez said his uncle encouraged him to shoot for the goal he just accomplished "he wanted to see my High School Diploma."
Family members are now planning to take the teen back to Calfornia Monday morning. Services will probably be held on Wednesday. Because of the shooting and similar crime problems in the area, a local church has organized a community meeting. That will take place at the Riverton Park United Methodist Church at 6:30 pm.
Beltran was riding in a car with four family members and friends at about 11:30 pm Wednesday. They were driving on Military Road South when a second car came up behind and turned on S. 140th. Someone in that car opened fire and shot Beltran in the back.
The men drove to Highline Hospital but Beltran collapsed in the entrance to the Emergency Room and died. Investigators believe the shooter was riding in a white, 1990's 4-door BMW 5-series. If anyone has information about the shooting or the vehicle, they should call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311.
Family members say they're desparate for answers. Beltran overcame many obstacles to finish high school and his family maintains he was not in a gang. They don't know why anyone would hurt him but believe it could be a case of mistaken identity. His cousin Rosa Murillo said "it's devastating because we don't know why." Murillo also told Q13 Fox News "we don't want questions, we just want answers."
Beltran graduated from Santa Ana High School in mid-June. He was going to spend the summer working in the Seattle-area but his sister said just after he arrived, he found out he could start school. Elvia Beltran said "he learned that he got accepted and he was going to get a scholarship, so he changed plans." Beltran said his ultimate goal was to be a police officer and try to stop the violence that plagued his southern California neighborhood.
Beltran's nephew Daniel Ramirez said his uncle was a role model "he didn't want me to do bad, he wanted me to stay in school." Ramirez said his uncle encouraged him to shoot for the goal he just accomplished "he wanted to see my High School Diploma."
Family members are now planning to take the teen back to Calfornia Monday morning. Services will probably be held on Wednesday. Because of the shooting and similar crime problems in the area, a local church has organized a community meeting. That will take place at the Riverton Park United Methodist Church at 6:30 pm.
