Long Island Teen Murdered During Robbery Attempt

A 22-year-old man has confessed to killing a Long Island teenager during a robbery gone wrong, and he then fled to Florida, according to prosecutors.

Eric Garcia admitted to tricking 19-year-old Carlos Guillen into meeting him under false pretenses back in October 2022. Once in Guillen’s vehicle, Garcia reportedly held him at gunpoint in an attempt to rob him, as noted by the Suffolk County Prosecutor’s Office.

In a desperate attempt to escape, Guillen pressed on the gas pedal, but Garcia fired at close range, striking him. Following the shooting, Garcia left the scene and headed to Florida the very next day to avoid facing justice.

“This was a nefarious plan with equally nefarious consequences,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. He explained that Garcia’s intention to lure Guillen ultimately resulted in predictable violence and emphasized that such violent acts would not be tolerated in the county.

After the shooting, Guillen tried to call 911 but could not communicate properly. He crashed his vehicle and was taken to South Shore University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Cell phone records revealed that Garcia’s phone was present at the crime scene during the shooting, and it also tracked his travel to Florida the following day. He was arrested in November 2022 for reportedly carrying a loaded weapon.

Garcia has since pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter in connection with Guillen’s death. He is set to appear in court again on August 6, where he is expected to receive a sentence of 25 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.