Three Teens Charged Following Fatal Shooting on Ridgeland Street

Published on December 17, 2025

Three teenage males, two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old, have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred in the 600 block of Ridgeland Street on November 12.

The 17-year-old is charged with involuntary manslaughter for fatally shooting 18-year-old, Vincent Gardea. The two 16-year-olds face charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery and accessory, aid and abet aggravated robbery.

Case Background:

On November 12, Cheyenne Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a shooting and vehicle crash in the area of Ridgeland Road and Evers Boulevard. At the scene, officers located a pickup truck that had crashed through a wooden fence into the backyard of a nearby home.

An 18-year-old driver, later identified as Gardea, was found unresponsive with apparent gunshot wounds and was later pronounced deceased at the scene. Two 16-year-old passengers from the vehicle were contacted by officers.

Investigators determined the incident began as a firearm sale. Gardea and two 16-year-old friends drove a pickup truck to a residence on Ridgeland Street to purchase a firearm from the 17-year-old. Before arriving, the group decided to forcefully take the weapon from the seller without paying.

At the home, Gardea exited the truck armed with his own gun and struck the 17-year-old with the firearm in order to rob him. During the altercation Gardea was shot. He was able to re-enter the truck and drive a short distance before crashing.

Detectives recovered multiple firearms during the investigation, including one that appears to have been modified to fire fully automatic.

This case remains under investigation by the Cheyenne Police Detective Bureau.