Man Convicted in Kennewick Killing of Mom in Front of Child

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) — A man charged with killing a woman inside a vehicle in Kennewick on Christmas Eve while their 22-month-old daughter was in the back seat has been convicted of second-degree murder.

The Tri-City Herald reports Francisco Munoz Quintero was found guilty Tuesday in the death of 21-year-old Luisa Garcia Farias.

Court documents say Munoz Quintero told investigators he had been arguing with Garcia Farias in her vehicle on Dec. 24 when he pulled out a gun. He said the two struggled and the gun went off.

Garcia Farias was struck by two bullets.

The 20-year-old defendant left the woman in the street, dropped his toddler off at a relative's house and turned himself in to police the next day.

The defense declined to comment Tuesday because sentencing is still pending.