Teen to be tried as adult in Walla Walla fatal stabbing

By Terry Murry on Thursday, October 26th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney Gabe Acosta said Wednesday that one of the three teenage boys from Kennewick arrested for their involvement in the 2022 stabbing death of Miguel Perez Barragan, 24, will be charged as an adult.

Kenny Stephen Sanchez-Garcia, who was 15 at the time of the alleged crime, is charged with first-degree murder. He had his first court appearance on Monday.

The other two teens have further court hearings scheduled to determine if they will be tried as adults. Elkhorn Media Group does not release the names of juveniles unless they are being tried as adults.

Barragan’s remains were discovered off Kibler Road northeast of Walla Walla on July 5, 2022. The Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office estimates that Barragan was murdered on or around June 28, 2022. After Barragan’s body was found, police received a tip that one of the suspect’s brothers watched a video of Barragan being stabbed.

Further investigation led detectives to learn the three teens allegedly shared Instagram messages admitting to the murder and saying they needed to flee to the Tri-Cities to avoid arrest.