Army Veteran Killed in Sylmar Remembered
Video by Isaac Moody
A twenty-one-year-old war veteran, Francisco Garcia, was shot and killed in Sylmar Sunday morning after an altercation broke out at a party, according to CNS.
According to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Mission Station, the party (held at the home of Garcia’s girlfriend in the 13200 block of Dronfield Street) extended into Sunday morning. At 2 a.m. the attendees decided to move up the street, where the shooting occurred.
Garcia was standing on the west sidewalk, north of Astoria Street, when two cars stopped near him and a man exited a dark-colored SUV. According to police, the man smashed a beer bottle on the ground and yelled at Garcia.
The man allegedly walked to a white Toyota or Honda behind the SUV, retrieved a handgun from an occupant and started shooting. Garcia was hit and died at the scene.
“It appears Francisco was the target of the attack,'' Los Angeles police Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division, said. “Apparently, a simmering dispute had boiled over during the night, and this suspect came looking for Francisco. Figuring out the dispute should lead us to the shooter.''
Detectives believe the occupants of the SUV or white car came from a different location and did not attend the party. Detectives interviewed multiple witnesses and collected evidence, including several bullet casings. There were no other casualties.
LAPD is asking for the public’s help in identifying the man who shot and killed Garcia.
Hundreds gathered at a roadside memorial Sunday night to commemorate the veteran.
