A Colorado Springs man charged with the first-degree murder of an army veteran has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.
31-year-old Charles Lobato pleaded guilty Monday to reckless manslaughter in the January 2018 shooting death of 35-year-old Shawnee Tapia.
Lobato’s attorneys argued that he fired in self-defense during a traffic dispute.
A nine-month manhunt ended with Lobato’s arrest at a motel where they say he fired on police, although additional charges could not be supported and were not filed.
Lobato will be sentenced in June.
