San Bernardino County prosecutors charged an 18-year-old man this week within the deadly capturing of a U.S. Marine in Twentynine Palms and the alleged tried homicide of two different folks, authorities stated.
Rudy Garcia Jr. is accused of killing 35-year-old Robert James McDonald on Monday night time whereas he sat in his automobile together with his canine, the Sheriff’s Division stated in a information launch. McDonald was an active-duty gunnery sergeant stationed with the Marine Corps Logistic Operations Group in Twentynine Palms, in accordance with the district legal professional’s workplace.
Sheriff’s deputies responded shortly earlier than 8 p.m. to stories of a gaggle of 4 or 5 folks inflicting a disturbance close to the intersection of Previous Dale Street and Alpine Avenue, authorities stated. Initially, a neighbor tried to talk with the group, however among the people grew to become hostile.
Not lengthy after the alternate, one of many suspects, who was later recognized as Garcia, fired a number of rounds from a gun towards the neighbor and one other particular person, authorities stated. Neither was hit, authorities stated, and Garcia ran towards Knott Sky Park on El Sol Avenue.
The opposite individuals who have been with Garcia went in a special route and weren’t seen once more, in accordance with authorities. However Garcia then approached McDonald, who was sitting in his automobile close to a canine park on Foothill Drive, and fired his gun with out warning on the automobile throughout what authorities stated was an tried carjacking. McDonald was struck a number of instances and tried to drive away however misplaced management and crashed into one other automobile, authorities stated.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene and offered medical help to McDonald, however he died on the scene, in accordance with authorities. The individuals who have been within the different automobile sustained minor accidents.
Garcia ran away however was positioned by sheriff’s deputies close to the scene of the capturing a short while later and was taken into custody. A handgun believed to have been used within the capturing was additionally discovered within the space, in accordance with the Sheriff’s Division.
The district legal professional’s workplace charged Garcia with homicide, tried carjacking, tried second-degree theft, two counts of premeditated tried homicide and two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Different particular allegations have additionally been filed within the case, prosecutors stated.
Anybody with details about this case can contact Det. Shawn Thurman at (909) 890-4904. Nameless suggestions will be made at (800) 78CRIME or wetip.com.
