Nicolas Garcia, a 44-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically killed on September 23, 2018, in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred when Oscar Aristides Garcia, a 35-year-old Hispanic male, mistook Nicolas Garcia for a thief. Oscar Garcia, the owner of a transmission repair shop in Pasadena, Texas, believed that Nicolas Garcia was responsible for stealing pickup tailgates from his shop.
On the day of the incident, Oscar Garcia saw Nicolas Garcia walking by with his girlfriend and decided to confront him. Despite Nicolas Garcia's girlfriend's attempts to explain that he was not the thief, Oscar Garcia shot Nicolas Garcia in the back, killing him instantly.
Following the shooting, Oscar Garcia attempted to cover up his crime by destroying security camera recordings and fleeing the country. He left for El Salvador, leaving behind his pregnant wife and three children. After more than two years on the run, Oscar Garcia returned to the United States and was arrested by U.S. marshals. He pleaded guilty to murder in October 2023 and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The case was prosecuted by the Harris County District Attorney's Office, and the sentencing was overseen by visiting Judge Marc Brown. The Bautista family, who were devastated by the loss of Nicolas Garcia, expressed their hope for justice and closure following the sentencing.
