COLUMBIA – A Columbia teenager has been arrested with killing another teen while handling a firearm in a borough residence earlier this month. 16-year-old Jose Lopez III was charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a minor, and three counts of recklessly endangering another person. Lopez was arrested on Monday night. Lopez is accused of causing the death of 17-year-old Wilfredo Garcia when he was shot in a residence in the 900 block of Plane Street the evening of July 18. Detectives conducted multiple interviews over a period of more than a week with individuals who were inside the residence the night of the shooting. Police recovered two firearms. The investigation remains ongoing. Lopez is being held in Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center.
