Family honors Latino man fatally shot by Bakersfield Police one year ago - Lawsuit Pending
Friday, February 25, 2005 at 02:13PM
TheSpook
A Bakersfield woman memorialized her
son who was killed in 2004 while trying to confront a sex offender in
Southwest Bakersfield. Although the officer involved shooting was ruled
justified, family members claimed his killing was not and there are
reports that they want to hold local agencies accountable for his
death. It's been a year of healing for Gabriel Garcia's loved ones, but
by no means, does that mean family members are putting the case to
rest. His mother Victoria Rosales reminisced about her sons during song
service. “That song is about a son who's been saved by Jesus Christ and
he said mom don't worry about me and I'm with God,” she said. “We rest
now and he wanted me to hear that.” The memorial to honor 20-year-old
Gabriel Garcia was held at a church in Delano. It was a year ago when
Bakersfield Police Officers shot and killed Garcia outside the home of
a registered sex offender, Vincent Verdile in Bakersfield. “I was
crying all the time, only a mother who has lost a child can feel that
pain,” Rosales said. Family members accused Bakersfield Police of using
excessive force but officials said Garcia refused to drop a knife in
his hand. According to the 911 call made by Verdile, Garcia was
threatening his life. Officials said his toxicology tests showed he had
methamphetamine and marijuana in his system the day he was shot.
According to the Bakersfield Californian, Victoria Rosales filed a
wrongful death suit against the City of Bakersfield, and the Police
Department. The claim reportedly seeks more than $50,000 in damages.
Family members refused to comment and police officials said they were
not available for comment on the case, on Sunday. [more]
Article originally appeared on (http://brownwatch.com/).
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