Accomplice sentenced in 2024 fatal shooting at Boondox

Days after his accomplice was sentenced to 30 years in a state prison for murder, the driver in the fatal 2024 shooting of a father of three in West Kelso was sentenced Friday afternoon to 15 years behind bars.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help

Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

Presiding Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Michael Evans accepted the plea agreement between Cowlitz County prosecutors and Ted Debray, of Longview's DeBray Law, who represented Connor Aguayo, 21, of Kelso.

Cody Tamayo's widow, Samaria Tamayo, read from prepared remarks, saying that she understands Aguayo wasn't the person who fired at her husband, but "made a choice that day that contributed to taking a man who was deeply loved from the world."

She described the future she and her three kids face after the killing.

"I will never get to grow old with him, or watch our children reach milestones by his side, or experience the quiet years we always imagined sharing once our children were grown," she said.

Samaria Tamayo also referenced Conner Aguayo's father, Ruperto Aguayo, without naming him. His father was sentenced last year for the 2023 death of local restaurant owner Grant Hadler.

"What makes this even harder is seeing a pattern of choices that have caused pain and destruction continue from one generation to the next," she said, then wished Grant Hadler and his wife to rest in peace.

Cody Tamayo's mother, Tammie Conway, largely repeated her statement from the sentencing hearing of co-defendant Eligha Christian Buckner-Lopez, 20, of Kelso, earlier this week.

She described her son as a wonderful man who was loved by many. She said the August 2024 killing near the Boondox Gas and Grocery at 705 West Cowlitz Way has left his loved ones "frozen in time."

Connor Aguayo pleaded guilty last year to first-degree aggravated murder in this case.

However, under that agreement, he was allowed to withdraw the previous plea and plead to the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

He will also have to serve 36 months of community custody upon his release from prison.

The defendant expressed remorse in court.

"I'm sorry for what had happened," said Connor Aguayo. He then apologized several more times.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.