Taxi-Cab Driver Shot and Killed During a Robbery

Los Angeles: On April 30, 2003, at 8:00 p.m., the victim, Antonio Garcia, a male Hispanic, 33 years of age had responded to the area of Gage Blvd and Avalon Blvd to pick up a fare in his taxi. At the location, a male and female Hispanic attempted to rob Garcia of his money. Garcia, who was attempting to comply with the robber’s demands, was shot one time in the upper torso by the male Hispanic. Both suspects fled on foot with the gun.
Garcia, although wounded, radioed to his dispatcher that he had been shot and the suspects were his fare from the earlier call. Several taxi drivers upon hearing Garcia’s call for help converged on the area in an attempt to assist Garcia and locate the suspects. The arriving taxi drivers in fact located the two suspects walking away from the location and followed them to the area of 47th Street and Main Street where they went inside a residence. Responding officers deployed on the area and detained Jose Chavez, a 25-year-old male Hispanic and Maria Avila, a 22-year-old female Hispanic.
Los Angeles City Fire Department transported Garcia to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
Both suspects were identified by witnesses and arrested for Penal Code Section, 187 Murder.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident should contact Newton Area Detectives at 323-846-5363. On weekends and during off-hours, contact the 24 hour-toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Renee’ Montoya, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.