Los Angeles: On Saturday, November 8, 2003, at about 6:00 a.m., Foothill Area Officers responded to an "Assault with a Deadly Weapon Shots Fired" radio call in the 10600 block of Telfair Avenue. When the officers arrived, they observed the victim, 36 year-old George Garcia, a resident of Pacoima, on the sidewalk in the 13400 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital where he died during medical treatment.

The investigation revealed that Garcia, confined to a wheelchair, and a witness were walking on Van Nuys Boulevard near Telfair Avenue when a red SUV with a gray horizontal strip near the bottom of the vehicle stopped next to Garcia and the witness. Two male Hispanic suspects in their 20’s engaged Garcia and the witness in a conversation. One of the suspects demanded money, then shot Garcia.

The motive for the homicide appears to be robbery. The weapon and the suspects are not in custody at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to Foothill Homicide Detectives at 818-834-3115 or 818-756-8861. On weekends and during off-hours contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Renee’ Montoya, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.