SALINAS, Calif - Salinas Police are looking for the public's help in solving the city's 10th homicide of the year.
On Sunday morning around 3:50 a.m. officers found the victim bleeding from the head in a parking lot on the 900 block of North Maderia Avenue. He was transported to a local hospital and eventually air-lifted to a Bay Area hospital for treatment. After surgery, the victim was listed in very critical condition with life-threatening wounds to his head and upper body.
Throughout the day on Sunday, detectives attempted to determine the victim's identity and were finally able to do so through fingerprints. The victim was identified as 57-year-old Jose Luis Garcia of Salinas. Detectives learned Garcia normally drove a dark grey, 2003 Ford Focus but it was nowhere to be found. Garcia also did not have a wallet, money or identification on his person.
On Monday, May 21st, Garcia's vehicle was located in the parking lot of 961 Acosta Plaza. The vehicle was damaged due to vandalism and had blood inside. The vehicle was seized and will be searched forensically for any evidence.
Detectives are now trying to put together the events that led up to finding Garcia in the apartment complex parking lot. Detectives know Garcia was a regular at Jaime's Lounge on Salinas Street where he played pool on a regular basis but did not drink due to other medical issues.
Surveillance video from the bar shows Garcia leaving the bar a little after 2:00 am on Sunday morning. There appears to be no altercations or any problems. From there, it is unknown where Garcia went. Detectives do not believe he made it to his south Salinas address, but was not seen until he was found severely injured in the Bonnie Dunes Apartment's parking lot.
On May 23rd, family members made the difficult decision to remove Garcia from life support. Garcia died from his blunt force injuries Thursday afternoon. Garcia became the City of Salinas' 10th homicide of the year. It is believed the homicide occurred during the commission of a robbery and possible carjacking.
Salinas Police detectives are asking that anyone who may have seen Garcia between the 2:00 am and 3:50 am contact the Salinas Police Department Investigations Division at (831) 758-7226; Detective Brian Johnson at (831) 758-7147 or Detective Kristine Fairbanks at (831) 7322. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Salinas Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at 831-775-4222, or the We-Tip Line at 1-800-78-CRIME, or text information to the Text Tip Line with the code "SPD831" to "847411".
Murder Victim: Jose Garcia
Victim's car
Victim's car
