Arrest made in Southeast taxi shooting

A Kent man has been arrested after allegedly shooting at a taxi in Southeast, the office of Putnam County Sheriff Brian Hess said.

According to a release from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Luis A. Galvez, 37, of Kent shot at a moving taxi in the early morning hours of Nov. 23. No injuries were reported.

“At approximately 5:25 a.m., deputies responded to the Towne Centre Plaza for a report of a shooting,” the PCSO release said. “Upon arrival, deputies met with the victim, a taxi driver, who reported that the suspect had discharged a firearm into the passenger compartment of his taxi following a dispute over a fare. Deputies observed a bullet hole in the vehicle, and a bullet was located inside the rear seating area.”

The PCSO said investigators and the crime scene unit recovered a .45-caliber shell casing from the scene. Surveillance video from nearby businesses showed the alleged suspect—identified as Galvez—approaching the taxi and shooting at the vehicle.

“Investigators secured a search warrant for Galvez’s residence, vehicle, and person,” the PCSO said. “The warrant was executed without incident, and Galvez was taken into custody. A .45-caliber pistol was recovered during the search.”

Police said Galvez later confessed to the incident during an interview with investigators.

He has been charged with the following offenses:

• Attempted murder, second degree (class A-I felony)
• Criminal use of a firearm, first degree (class B felony)
• Criminal possession of a weapon, second degree (class C felony)
• Criminal possession of a weapon, second degree (class C felony)

Galvez was arraigned in the Town of Southeast Court and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility on $150,000 cash or $300,000 bond.

“The suspect’s actions showed an alarming disregard for public safety,” Hess said. “Our members acted swiftly to identify and apprehend the individual responsible, and we remain committed to ensuring that anyone who engages in violence in this county is held fully accountable.”

Information provided by the PCSO