Jury Finds Gang Member Guilty in 2022 Crossfire Death of Innocent Bystander

An Idaho man who was fatally shot by gang members outside a restaurant parking lot in 2022 has received justice. Joe Flores also known as Joey Flores was exiting a Buffalo Wild Wings at the 2100 block of North Cassia Street when he was caught in crossfire between two rival gangs.

He was an innocent bystander with no known gang affiliation.

Flores, 23, was found by the first responders lying in the parking lot with gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts, he died from his injuries. The shooting occurred on September 1, 2022, four days before his 24th birthday.

The Nampa Police Department investigated the case and arrested six gang members in 2024. Brian Moreno, 25, was charged with first-degree murder for shooting Flores. On February 19, a Canyon County Jury found him guilty after a week-long-trial.

Evidence presented in court included cell phone footage of the incident, which showed a man telling Moreno to get a gun. Three gunshots were then heard in the video. Moreno was also convicted of gang enhancement charge.

He is scheduled to appear before Canyon County Judge Gabriel McCarthy on May 8 for sentencing. Moreno faces life imprisonment for the murder charge and two to five years for gang enhancement.

Five other gang members face separate charges in connection with Flores’ murder. Pedro Navarro Jr., 21, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and is scheduled for sentencing on March 19. Lazaro Vela, 19, is charged with attempted first-degree murder and awaits trial.

The other three gang members, Gabriel Bernal, Emanuel Bautista Roblero, and Emmanuel D. Saiz face felony charges, including rioting with gang enhancement. The Nampa Police Department was previously criticized over the length of the investigation.

Following the arrests in May 2024, Chief of Police Joe Huff said, “This investigation has been ongoing since day one. The work happening behind the scenes has been nonstop, and it has obviously paid off with a solid case and multiple arrests. Some have criticized Nampa PD during this investigation, but the steadfast work of the detectives has produced some great results.”

Flores’ family released an obituary describing him as a ‘genuine, kindhearted young man that always found the good in others.’ The victim is survived by his father, two older siblings, and his girlfriend.

Talking about their deceased son, the family wrote, “Joey had a love for the outdoors; he enjoyed fishing, camping, and riding his side by side with his friends and family, even if that meant getting stuck in the mud. There was not a stranger in Joey's life and [he] always offered a helping hand. He was an honest, loyal, compassionate friend to many.”