EPHRATA - Police are searching for the Quincy man accused of shooting Ramiro Munoz Jr. in September.

A $500,000 bench warrant was issued for Gerardo M. Valenzuela Navarro, 19. Prosecutors charged Valenzuela Navarro with second degree murder.

The shooting reportedly revolved around a man who was trying to cut his ties with a gang, according to a Quincy police report. The witness was at the same family reunion on C Street as Munoz, when a gang member approached the area and tried talking with him.

Several witnesses reported the man went to speak with the gang member, and when the gang member asked why the man wasn't hanging around with the gang anymore, according to the police report. The witness told the gang member he needed to leave because they were having a family reunion and could talk about it later.

About the same time, Munoz and another person approached the gang member. They continued to tell the gang member he needed to leave, according to the police report. The gang member became angry, and started walking backward before running away from the group.

The three men followed to make sure the gang member left, according to the police report. After following for a while, Valenzuela Navarro and another man reportedly came out from a nearby house. Valenzuela Navarro allegedly fired two or three shots in the direction of the men.

Munoz reportedly responded by telling Valenzuela Navarro to not shoot, and challenged him to a fist fight, according to court records. Valenzuela Navarro allegedly fired another shot at Munoz, killing him.

Quincy Police Chief Richard Ackerman said they are using all resources available to find Valenzuela Navarro, including asking for help from the U.S. Marshals Service.

"Anyone who helps Valenzuela Navarro avoid capture will be charged to the fullest extent of the law," he stated.

Anyone with information can contact Detective Sal Mancini at 509-787-4718 ext. 505, or leave a anonymous message on the Quincy Police Department's tip line at 509-787-8477.