Javier Gomez Montalvo, aged 35, was tragically killed on November 23, 2017, in Orland, California. The incident occurred at a residence on Date Street, where police responded to reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers discovered Montalvo deceased inside the home, having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. A 19-year-old man was also injured in the shooting and was transported to Enloe Medical Center in Chico for treatment.
The investigation led to the arrest of two brothers, Ricardo Garcia,
25, and Fernando Garcia, 20. Both were charged with first-degree murder in connection with Montalvo's death, as well as attempted murder for the shooting of the 19-year-old victim. The Garcia brothers were apprehended after a search of nearby orchards and yards revealed several firearms. They were initially arrested on probation-related violations before being formally charged with murder.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, although it was suggested that the incident involved members of the same criminal street gang. Despite this, it has not been definitively established whether the shooting was gang-related. The Garcia brothers entered not guilty pleas to the charges and remained in custody as the case proceeded through the legal system. The District Attorney indicated that more details would emerge as the case moved towards trial, but the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were still under investigation.
