A Connecticut man has been charged in the deaths of a mother and her 4-month-old infant son, who were allegedly killed in a drive-by shooting on November 19. Lance “Macho” Morales, 23, faces multiple charges in the murders of 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her son Messiah Diaz.
According to an arrest warrant, Morales opened fire on the car Mercado and her son were in because Mercado owed him $400 for using his Mazda SUV. He had been charging her $100 a day to rent the vehicle, and she reportedly fell behind on the payments.
Before the shooting, an exchange took place between Morales and Mercado, in which she told him her infant son was inside the SUV. A witness reportedly told police that Morales said he didn’t care.
Two other people were in the car at the time of the shooting, but only one of them was wounded. Morales’ firearm was believed to be fully automatic.
A massive four-day manhunt took place for Morales following the shooting, and he was eventually arrested in Puerto Rico on November 23. He was extradited to Connecticut on Saturday and is being held on $5 million bail.
Morales has been charged with two counts of murder, assault, and other crimes, and is facing life in prison without parole if convicted.