Gabriel Garcia Obituary, Death – A tragic shooting occurred Saturday night in the parking lot of an Independence restaurant, claiming the life of 19-year-old Gabriel Garcia. The incident took place at the Twin Peaks restaurant, located near I-70 and Little Blue Parkway.
According to friends and family, Garcia was the victim of the deadly shooting. Megan Murphy, Director of Public Relations for the Independence School District, confirmed that Garcia had graduated from Van Horn High School in May 2023. During his high school years, Garcia was a member of the school’s soccer team, and his friends described him as a young man full of life and promise.
The Independence Police Department (IPD) responded to the shooting at approximately 11 p.m. Saturday. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Garcia lying in the parking lot, having suffered from a gunshot wound. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.
Following the shooting, police took a potential suspect into custody that same night. However, by Monday afternoon, IPD confirmed that the individual was no longer in custody. The police department stated that there was no ongoing danger to the public, and the situation was under control. However, they did not provide further details about the investigation and declined to participate in an on-camera interview with FOX4.
In the wake of Garcia’s death, his family and friends are struggling with the loss. Marcy Gomez, a close family friend, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses. Gomez also shared that Garcia’s parents, who live in the Mexican state of Tabasco, are working to secure a Humanitarian Visa so they can travel to the U.S. to make arrangements with the funeral home. The family ultimately plans to have Garcia laid to rest in Mexico, where his parents reside.
On Sunday morning, the Independence Police Department reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat, a statement they reiterated on Monday. While details surrounding the shooting remain scarce, the community continues to mourn Garcia’s untimely death, reflecting on his life as a talented athlete and beloved student.