MOUNTLAKE TERRACE – A Seattle teenager likely was killed because she got sick in a car after drinking, angering her friends, according to a police report released today.
An Edmonds man, 21, was arrested early this morning in connection with the killing of Britney Galindez. Police also said they are looking for a second suspect, identified as Mario “Pelon” Ibanez, 17.
Galindez, 17, was last seen hanging out with four friends on the night of Oct. 13, the police report said. The group allegedly was driving around drunk when Galindez threw up, witnesses told police.
The group drove to Lake Ballinger and four of the five people went to the dock, the report said.
That’s where the suspect allegedly started to strangle Galindez and then stabbed her in the neck with a screwdriver, according to the report.
Police believe the man threw the teenager into the water, waded in after her and held her head under for about five minutes until she was dead, the report said.
The jailed suspect, a convicted felon with a long criminal history, allegedly told the witnesses he would kill them as well if they talked to police.
Galindez was found dead in the lake Oct. 21.
Two witnesses told police the same account of the evening’s event, the police report said.
The suspect was jailed Saturday by Everett police for investigation of first-degree malicious mischief. He was re-booked early this morning for investigation of first-degree murder and is scheduled to go before a judge later today for a bail hearing.
Police believe Galindez was a member of Vatos Locos 13, a criminal street gang.
Mountlake Terrace police Sgt. Doug Hansen said additional details in the case will be released later today.
Anyone with information about Ibanez is asked to call Mountlake Terrace Police at 425-670-8260.
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