KING CITY — A Monterey County jury has found Armando Rodriguez Garcia, 37, guilty of attempted murder of a peace officer, multiple counts of assault with a firearm, armed robbery and firearm possession offenses stemming from a violent confrontation involving a police shooting and armed robbery in King City.
The May 13 verdict follows a series of violent actions by Garcia on June 4, 2024, including robbing three men at gunpoint on a bridge, leading to a high-speed police chase along Highway 101, during which he discharged his firearm at pursuing officers. The incident culminated in Garcia opening fire on officers during a traffic stop, prompting return gunfire and resulting in his injury and arrest.
According to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, “On June 4, 2024, Garcia approached three men who were walking over a bridge in King City, pointed his semiautomatic firearm at them and demanded their phones and wallets, which they surrendered. Garcia then ran and entered the passenger seat of a black Mazda, which was being driven by his female friend.”
The three victims then ran back to their residence and used a friend’s phone to report the armed robbery. Garcia and his friend drove around King City for an hour-and-a-half before they then entered northbound Highway 101.
At 7:15 p.m., a Greenfield police officer spotted the black Mazda traveling northbound on Highway 101. Other units from Greenfield and King City police departments joined in and initiated a traffic stop on the Mazda with lights and sirens. The Mazda failed to stop and continued to evade officers for eight miles, traveling at speeds ranging from 55 to 72 mph.
“Near Soledad, the Mazda slowed and pulled to the shoulder. Before the Mazda came to a complete stop, Garcia opened the passenger side door and began to step out of the vehicle with his .40-caliber semiautomatic firearm,” stated the DA’s Office.
The lead King City patrol vehicle stopped directly behind the Mazda, and the five other patrol vehicles stopped as well. Garcia pointed his firearm directly at the lead King City patrol vehicle and began firing at police. In total, Garcia fired four shots.
The lead KCPD officer and six other Greenfield and King City officers were present on scene.
“All of the officers were within 50 feet of Garcia when he shot at them. Two King City officers returned fire,” the DA’s Office recounted. “Garcia ran northbound on Highway 101, toward a shopping center in Soledad, continuing to shoot behind him and in the direction of officers as he tried to flee. He ultimately stopped shooting when he was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground, dropping his firearm out of his reach.”
Garcia was transported to Natividad Medical Center, where he was treated for his injury. Recovered at the scene was a .40-caliber semiautomatic firearm with three rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber of the firearm. Due to a prior felony burglary conviction, Garcia was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Garcia will be sentenced on June 10 and faces up to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
