Party disturbance leads to shooting, explosives discovery, deputies say
LEMOORE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 25-year-old man is behind bars after explosive devices were found at his residence after a search warrant was issued due to an attempted homicide.
In the early morning hours of April 19, Kings County dispatch received a call about a shooting. That’s where 25-year-old Maiya Garcia shot a 36-year-old victim multiple times.
“They just happened to be at a party together. Some kind of argument ensued over what we don’t know quite yet. But during the course of that argument, it upset Mr. Garcia enough to shoot the male,” Sergeant Chris Martin with the Kings County Sheriff’s Office said.
The victim was then transported to a local hospital where he is in serious, but stable condition. The sheriff’s office began its investigation and determined its suspect was Garcia.
“The suspect initially stayed on scene; we didn’t have enough information at the time to actually take Mr. Garcia into custody. San Leandro PD located Mr. Garcia in a parking lot of a shopping center,” Sergeant Martin said.
Garcia was arrested days later after fleeing the scene. During the officer’s search of Garcia’s residence, a shocking discovery was made.
“During the search warrant execution in the city of Lemoore, multiple incendiary and explosive devices were located. It required us to contact Kings Fire as well as the Cal Fire Marshal’s Office to render those devices safe. We’re talking hundreds of explosive devices,” Sergeant Martin said.
Garcia is incarcerated for attempted homicide, charges related to explosive materials at his home and child endangerment.
“It’s the proximity to the kids in the home. As of now, we’ve forwarded the case to the district attorney’s office for review as far as child endangerment charges on the 24-year-old girlfriend as well,” Sergeant Martin said.
Kings County authorities are glad they caught this person before he hurt more people.
“Mr. Garcia was making these devices from what we assumed are from the aerial fireworks. He had a bunch of illegal fireworks writhing the home. And it looks like he was taking those apart to make the improvised explosive devices. Just our guys responding and going into that home and coming across that, it’s not a good feeling,” Sergeant Martin said.
Garcia is now in the King’s County jail and his bond is set at $820,000.
