Video footage shows suspect ‘placing people in danger’, Fresno Police says

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – On May 30, Fresno police pulled over 23-year-old Andrew Garcia during a routine traffic stop. The passenger next to him provided his real name, but Garcia gave officers a fake name.

Friday, Fresno Police released surveillance and body camera video from that shooting.

An investigation revealed that Garcia was on active parole and had a pending parole warrant. Two days later, on June 1, officers were able to find Garcia’s car at a home on East Turner and Sierra Vista avenues. The passenger from the traffic stop opened the door.

As the passenger was patted down, officers asked where Andrew was. Now, officers know Andrew is at home. So, they jumped into action to find him. A second officer was outside the home when Garcia punched through a window and began threatening officers.

Officers were posted around the home. One officer spotted Garcia out of the home with a gun in hand. As Garcia was looking for an escape, officers tried cooperating with him, but Garcia would return to the original home, enter his car and start driving in the front yard. An officer told Garcia to show his hands, but when he didn’t, the officer opened fire.

Garcia was not hit by bullets, but he continued driving through multiple properties. Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto was at the scene on the day of the incident.

“After that, he kept driving into fences, ramming multiple fences, placing people in this neighborhood in danger, as he did so, and destroying property,” Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said.

Officers also reported seeing Garcia point his gun in their direction and, later, getting out of the car to point his gun in the air. After a lengthy standoff, Garcia surrendered and was later taken to the hospital for injuries while driving through fences. It was later determined that Garcia’s gun was a replica.

He was arrested for multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. This investigation is still ongoing.