Driver Is Followed and Shot to Death

Law enforcement officials said Tuesday that they have no motive in the slaying of a 25-year-old Oceanside man who was killed Monday after stopping his car and confronting two men who had been following him down a Vista road.

Deputies found Christopher Conrad Garcia dead along the north side of the 2000 block of Lobelia Drive about 8:15 p.m., Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Sgt. Julie Sutton said.

Witnesses told police that they saw Garcia driving a blue two-door car, and that his car was being followed by a white compact pickup, possibly a 1978 Toyota or Datsun, with red lettering on the tailgate, Sutton said.

Witnesses said Garcia got out of his car in the middle of the road and walked toward the truck. At the same time, a man got out the passenger side of the truck, Sutton said.

The two men were walking toward each other when the truck passenger pulled out a handgun and fired several rounds that struck Garcia, Sutton said.

The driver of the truck fled west on Lobelia Drive--driving around Garcia’s body and car--then continued north on Robelini Drive.

The attacker fled the scene in Garcia’s car.

Sheriff’s Detective Lt. John Tenwolde said neither vehicle had been found Tuesday.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Sheriff’s Department homicide detectives at 692-5600 or 565-5200.