FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Authorities identified 62-year-old Eddie Garcia of Alpaugh as the man shot and killed in Tulare County Thursday night.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office says it got a call around 7:30 p.m. reporting a shooting.
When deputies arrived on scene, they found Garcia with gunshot wounds. Despite their rescue efforts, officials said Garcia died on the scene.
Witnesses say the shooting happened at Alpaugh County Park in front of families, and while children were just feet away
“I was at my friend’s house, and we were sitting outside. And all were hear is boom! Big old gunshot,” said Diane Munoz, who lives across the street from the park.
Munoz says someone inside of a black car shot a man then drove off towards Corcoran.
“They just jumped out and shot him. Just like that. Cold turkey. Everybody over here was watching,” she said. “It could have been my nephew; it could have been my man. You know, you never that that would happen. Because it’s never happened before like this.”
That same park was desolate Friday – as the community is left feeling terrorized after the shooting happened in front of several children.
One mother wanting to remain anonymous, says her 7-year-old daughter was there and came running home screaming.
She says the child was crying and asking what happened after hearing the gunfire.
Others in the neighborhood say they’re praying, too, as there’s no word yet on any arrests.
“That guy didn’t have no fear. He didn’t care. He didn’t care if that person – if he shot a kid. That’s crazy… I hope they catch him,” said Munoz.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office says no arrests have been made so far, and the investigation remains ongoing.
