Georgetown man faces life in prison for 2022 double murder

A Georgetown man faces life in prison after being convicted of a 2022 double murder at a Georgetown restaurant.

Yony Morales-Garcia, 24, was convicted on 17 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree robbery, in the killing of Armando Vincente Chilel Lopez and Honorio Velasquez at the El Nopalito restaurant. 

Morales-Garcia will be sentenced in Delaware Superior Court Friday, July 12. Garcia-Morales faces two life sentences for the murders and additional time for charges including robbery, possession of a deadly weapon in commission of a felony, conspiracy and reckless endangerment. 

"I am immensely proud of our prosecutors for this decisive result,” Attorney General Kathy Jennings said. “The two victims were the bedrock of their close-knit families, and thanks to the hard work of our team and the Delaware State Police, the perpetrators are being brought to justice. Our hearts are with the victim’s families as they grieve and heal.” 

The shooting that killed Lopez, 31, and Velasquez, 28, occurred Jan. 22, 2022, and started with an incident between Lopez and the Morales-Garcia brothers, Yony and Emner, 23, at the El Nopalito restaurant. Following the incident, the Morales-Garcia brothers were removed from the restaurant. Feeling disrespected, the brothers returned; Emner allegedly stole a chain from around Lopez’s neck. Prosecutors said as Emner fled, Yony produced a gun and opened fire.

Originally, both Morales-Garcia brothers were charged with two counts of first-degree murder, which carry life sentences if convicted. However, in June, murder charges were dropped against Emner because prosecutors could not prove he planned or took part in the shooting. He pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery and conspiracy charges, and is serving a nine-year sentence.

This was the state’s second bite at convicting Yony Morales-Garcia. In December, a jury declared a mistrial in the case. But prosecutors refiled the case and were able to secure a conviction.