Jacob Garcia, a 36-year-old Hispanic man from Abilene, Texas, tragically passed away on May 4, 2019. Garcia was attending a house party in the 1700 block of North 10th Street when an altercation broke out. Witnesses reported that Zachary Noel Morelos, 30, and another individual began fighting. Garcia and another man, Anthony Valles, attempted to intervene and defuse the situation.
However, before leaving the scene, Morelos pulled out a gun and shot Garcia in the chest.
Following the shooting, Morelos and Valles fled the scene in Valles's vehicle and were later stopped by state troopers in the Eastland area. Morelos was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. In July 2019, a Taylor County grand jury indicted Morelos on one count of murder. He was held in custody with a bond set at $1 million.
In February 2022, Zachary Noel Morelos was found guilty of murder in connection with Garcia's death and was sentenced to 99 years in state prison along with a $10,000 fine. The court's decision brought some measure of justice to Garcia's family and friends, who continue to mourn his loss.
Jacob Garcia is remembered fondly by his family, friends, and the community for his kind and respectful nature. He is survived by his wife Monica Del Toro, his son Jacob Adam Garcia, and his daughters Destiny Calvillo, D'Lovely Garcia, and Deziree Garcia, all of whom reside in Abilene. Garcia's legacy lives on through the memories and love of those who knew him.
