Sep 3, 2008 10:03 am US/Pacific
Suspect Described In Fairfield Councilman Shooting
FAIRFIELD (AP) ―
-
-
Councilman Matt Garcia was shot last night at his friend's house in Cordelia.
City of Fairfield
Police in Fairfield have come up with a suspect description in the shooting of City Councilman Matt Garcia, and called for him to turn himself in.
At a Wednesday morning news conference, Lt. Bob Bunting, commander of the Major Crimes Division, said based on information received from witnesses, the suspect is a light-skinned black or hispanic male, 5'9" with a medium build.
Bunting said the suspect stepped out of a mid-sized American-made sedan and fired at least 8 shots from a small caliber firearm at Garcia, striking him once in the back of the head.
The suspect then got back in his car and fled westbound on Silverado Dr toward Oakbrook Dr., Bunting said.
Fairfield Police Chief Kenton Rainey announced his department is getting assistance on the case from over 100 officers from federal, state, and county law enforcement agencies as well city agencies from as far away as the Oakland Police Department.
During the news conference, Chief Rainey called for the suspect to turn himself in.
Police said they have recovered at least eight small caliber bullet casings at the scene where Garcia was shot.
A Fairfield police spokesman says the bullet casings have been sent off to the Department of Justice for analysis.
Investigators have not determined a motive in the shooting.
Family members plan to allow doctors to take the 22-year-old Garcia off life support Wednesday.
The decision comes after Garcia had been declared brain dead at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek after being shot Monday night.
Garcia was gunned down as he was speaking with a friend outside her house.
Wednesday evening, police went to the residence of Jennifer Tarbell. She was then escorted out of the house, uncuffed, and placed in the front seat of the detectives vehicle. Tarbell was the last person to see Garcia alive, but police are now talking with her as a crucial witness in this case.
Garcia was just 21-years-old when he was sworn in last fall as a councilman, making him one of the youngest elected officials in California.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
