John Samuel Dagen, a 19-year-old male of Caucasian ethnicity from Brady, Texas, tragically passed away on October 18, 2020, in San Angelo, Texas. He was born on February 12, 2001, in Farmers Branch, Texas, and graduated from Rochelle High School in 2019. Dagen was known for his active participation in sports such as football and tennis, as well as being a member of the school band.
On the night of his death, Dagen attended a party in North San Angelo, where he was fatally shot.
He suffered seven gunshot wounds to his back, three to his arms, and one to his leg. The shots were fired from a distance, and Dagen was found in a pool of blood in an alley on East 29th and Pecan Streets. The San Angelo Police Department responded to the scene and found Dagen's body, but he later succumbed to his injuries at Shannon Medical Center.
The investigation into Dagen's death led to the arrest of Arturo Garcia Jr., a 19-year-old male from San Angelo. Garcia was found walking away from the scene by officers conducting a burglary patrol in the neighborhood. He was indicted on charges of murder and assault. In November 2021, Garcia pleaded guilty to the murder of John Samuel Dagen and was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with an additional 10 years for the assault on correctional officers. The sentences will run concurrently, and Garcia was credited with time served for both charges.
The case drew significant attention due to Dagen's aspirations to follow in his father's footsteps in law enforcement. His father, John L. Dagen, is a former McCulloch County sheriff who adopted Sam when he was four years old. The loss of John Samuel Dagen was deeply felt by his family, friends, and the community, who remembered him as a bright and promising young man with a passion for sports and a desire to serve his community.
The tragic circumstances of John Samuel Dagen's death and the subsequent legal proceedings against Arturo Garcia Jr. highlight the devastating impact of gun violence and the importance of justice for victims and their families.
