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, police said.

Fernando Garcia, 35, told police Wednesday that someone drove 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, 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, authorities said. Neil was arrested again. Garcia was taken to Santa Paula Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition Friday.