EPHRATA — One of two men charged in the death of 19-year-old Juan “Pooky” Vasquez pleaded not guilty in Grant County Superior Court.

Frankie Mahto Larioz, 19, Moses Lake, was charged with murder in the first degree — complicity, in the June 16 death of Vasquez.

Larioz and Cesar Ismael Ramos DeLaCruz, 27, Moses Lake, reportedly confronted Vasquez about money a juvenile friend of his owed for marijuana, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All three men were in their vehicles at the intersection of Vandenberg Loop and Doolittle Drive during the confrontation.

Vasquez and Larioz were allegedly talking when Ramos DeLaCruz started discussing the drug debt, Grant County Undersheriff John Turley said. When the discussion started, Vasquez reportedly began to leave the intersection to avoid the discussion.

The 19-year-old turned onto Patton Boulevard, attempting to flee the two men, when Ramos DeLaCruz exited the vehicle, and reportedly shooting Vasquez twice with a .357 Magnum. A third shot missed the victim, according to the sheriff’s office.

After being struck, Vasquez’s car collided with a Ford Bronco on Patton Boulevard.

Vasquez was transported to Samaritan Healthcare where he was pronounced dead.

Ramos DeLaCruz was arrested in California and is also charged with murder in the first degree. He has not entered a plea yet, according to court records.