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Police: Elk Grove Teen Killed In Drug Deal Turned Carjacking

ELK GROVE (CBS13) - The shooting that took the life of a 19-year-old Elk Grove man earlier this week was an apparent drug deal gone wrong, police confirmed on Friday.

Joseph Oropesa reportedly went to the Dimple Records store at 9692 Elk Grove Florin Road on Sunday night to buy prescription drugs from Ryan Allan Hays. Instead, Hays took the $400 Oropesa had with him and stole the Ford Explorer Oropesa drove there.

Oropesa backed away from the vehicle after Hays showed a gun but then approached Hays as Hays was attempting to drive off and Oropesa was shot in the face, according to police.

Hays, 25, was arrested Wednesday in Stanislaus County and still had the Ford Explorer with him.

Oropesa leaves behind a 2-month-old son.

Hays made his first court appearance Friday and was told he could face the death penalty, the Sacramento Bee reported. He faces murder, carjacking and robbery charges.

Hays' next scheduled court date is May 22.

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