Young Hesperia Man Shot Dead While With His Friends on New Year’s Day

HESPERIA, Ca. – An 18-year-old Hesperia man was shot and killed while inside a vehicle on New Year’s day. 

At around 1:18 a.m., deputies from the Hesperia Police Department responded to the 16500 block of Smoketree Street following the report of a shooting. When they arrived they found Carlos Macias, also known as Junior, inside of a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. Outside of the vehicle were two men, who were not injured. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and determined that Macias was deceased.

The investigation revealed that the victim and two of his friends were inside the vehicle when the shooting occurred. A handgun was found inside the vehicle. No one has been arrested at this time but the report is being submitted to the District Attorney’s office for review.

The family of Macias is devastated and is working to collect funds in order to provide the proper memorial and burial. “Junior had a way of making everyone in the room smile, laugh, or even sing,” said Macias’s cousin, Evonne Tirado on the Go Fund Me page. “Family was above all for him.  In his short-lived life, Carlos knew the importance of family, friends, and community.”

The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available for release at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Gerad Laing, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail, at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.

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