Complaint Allegedly Leads to Shooting
A man who complained about a car driving through his Santa Paula neighborhood was confronted by the driver and shot twice in the stomach Thursday night, police said.
Fernando Garcia, 35, told police Wednesday that someone was driving a police car recklessly in his neighborhood. Police discovered that Richard Neil, 21, a mechanic working on one of their unmarked cars, had taken the vehicle out for a test drive and complained to his boss.
On Wednesday night, Neil confronted Garcia at his house near the corner of Olive and Santa Barbara streets, police said. Neil was subsequently arrested for disturbing the peace, said Police Chief Bob Gonzalez.
At 10:40 p.m. Thursday, Neil returned to Garcia’s house and allegedly shot him twice in the stomach, authorities said. Neil was later arrested. Garcia was taken to Santa Paula Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition Friday, officials said.
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