Orestes "West" Garza, a 51-year-old Hispanic man, tragically died on February 7, 2016, in Lubbock, Texas. Garza was fatally shot outside St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church after attending Sunday mass. His death was the result of a violent altercation involving his ex-wife's new partner, Pete Garcia Jr.
Pete Garcia Jr., who was 52 years old at the time, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with Garza's death.
According to arrest warrants and witness statements, Garcia allegedly sent threatening messages to his ex-wife, Judy Garcia, and had purchased a gun with the intent to "fix the problem" of her relationship with Garza. On the day of the shooting, Garcia chased Garza with a handgun and shot him four times in the back as he and Judy Garcia were entering their vehicle.
The case went to trial, and in December 2017, a jury found Pete Garcia Jr. guilty of murder. During the trial, it was revealed that Garcia had admitted to shooting Garza to several people, including his co-workers. The jury sentenced Garcia to 35 years in prison. The Garza family expressed their grief and anger during the trial, with Odilia Garza, Orestes Garza's sister, stating, "God does not forgive murder," and emphasizing the impact of the loss on their family.
The tragic death of Orestes West Garza highlights the devastating consequences of jealousy and unresolved emotions. The legal proceedings and Garcia's conviction brought some measure of justice for Garza's family, but the pain of losing a loved one remains profound.
