2 Van Nuys Men Face Stiff Penalties in Shooting
Two Van Nuys men face stiff penalties under a new state law that targets gang members and the use of a firearm, after pleading no contest Thursday to a shooting at a Del Taco restaurant in Newbury Park.
Although no one was injured in the April 30 incident, Marcos Garcia, 22, who police say was the shooter, faces up to 19 years in prison for his plea on the charge of assault with a deadly weapon.
His brother, Javier Garcia, 25, faces seven years in prison as an accessory after the fact, for driving the getaway car.
The Newbury Park incident came two days after a shooting that killed 19-year-old Edgar Cruz at a nearby condominium complex. A Van Nuys gang member is suspected in that slaying.
Prosecutors say Marcos Garcia fired on a group of Cruz’s friends as they were on their way to a memorial service for their slain friend.
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