TACOMA, Wash. — A woman has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of 17-year-old Braylon Daniel Diaz, who was a victim of a robbery in May. Pierce County detectives are still seeking the alleged shooter, identified as a 21-year-old man.
Alyssa Marie Vaught-Barr, 26, entered a not guilty plea in Pierce County Superior Court, facing charges linked to the tragic incident that occurred on May 24 in Parkland. According to law enforcement, Diaz was out for a walk with his girlfriend when a red sedan approached them. Investigators say a passenger in the vehicle demanded Diaz’s necklace before a shot was fired.
The shooting occurred at approximately 7:13 p.m. near the 10200 block of Sheridan Avenue South, where deputies found Diaz lying on the road with a gunshot wound. Despite efforts from medical personnel to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities characterized Diaz as an innocent victim, and officials indicated the robbery appeared random.
The confrontation began after the sedan passed by Diaz and his girlfriend, Katelyn Zuniga, and then turned around. Court documents reveal that, during a brief exchange, the passenger called Diaz closer. Zuniga later recounted that Diaz initially refused to comply. After the passenger instructed the driver to pull up, Diaz ultimately handed over his gold necklace at which point he was shot in the abdomen. The incident prompted Zuniga to call for help as the vehicle fled.
Pierce County authorities have identified the suspected shooter as Brandon Torres-Mesa. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated first-degree murder, and remains at large, with warnings that he may be armed. Vaught-Barr’s role as the driver of the red Toyota Corolla is central to the prosecution’s case, as investigators piece together the events leading to the shooting using surveillance footage, witness statements, and cellphone data.
After the shooting, law enforcement released surveillance images of the sedan and sought assistance from the public. The abandoned vehicle was located in Federal Way three days later, leading to significant breakthroughs in the investigation. Documentation found inside linked Vaught-Barr to the car. Witnesses reported seeing individuals attempting to wipe down the vehicle, and a relative recognized it from the released footage.
On May 27, Vaught-Barr contacted police to discuss the incident, identifying Torres-Mesa as the shooter. She claimed she had no foreknowledge of his intentions and that she was forced to drive away after allegedly being threatened. However, prosecutors expressed skepticism about her account, suggesting she misled investigators and obstructed the inquiry. A judge set her bail at $1 million.
Another individual arrested with Vaught-Barr, Alejandro Lorenzo Diaz, 25, is not related to the victim but is facing separate charges in Oregon. He is reportedly wanted for serious offenses, though his connection to the shooting remains under review by authorities.
Investigators apprehended both suspects on June 1 following separate encounters with law enforcement in Snohomish County. During the arrests, a note outlining plans for the future and a firearm believed to be linked to the shooting were discovered in their vehicle. Video and cell phone records form a critical basis for the ongoing investigation.
The family of Braylon Diaz described him as a loving and caring individual who was unlikely to engage in conflict. His friends and family gathered to pay tribute to his memory at a public memorial, reflecting on his kind nature and deep sense of protectiveness, particularly toward his girlfriend, in his final moments. As the case progresses, authorities continue to explore all avenues, believing other individuals may have been involved in the incident.