Manuel Trejo, a 41-year-old male of Hispanic ethnicity, tragically lost his life on March 28, 2015, in Austin, Texas. He was shot outside Don Dario’s Cantina, located at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Slaughter Lane. The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. when Manuel Trejo was found shot to death in the parking lot of the restaurant.
The suspect, Jacques DeCarlos Garcia, a 38-year-old male, was identified and charged with murder.
Garcia led police on a high-speed chase after the shooting, which ended with his arrest at the Fox Hill Apartment complex. He was also charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle. Garcia, who had recently been discharged from the Army, claimed he was trying to de-escalate the situation by pulling out his gun. Witnesses reported that the confrontation began when Garcia tried to reverse his vehicle in the parking lot, and Trejo's SUV was blocking his path.
The investigation revealed that both Trejo and Garcia were at the restaurant celebrating separate birthday parties. The argument escalated quickly, leading to Garcia allegedly hitting Trejo in the head with the butt of his pistol before shooting him. Garcia was taken into custody after a chase and was later charged with first-degree felony murder.
The case drew significant attention from the Austin Police Department, and Garcia's bond was set at $250,000 for the murder charge and an additional $20,000 for evading arrest. The community was urged to come forward with any information about the shooting, and Garcia faced serious legal consequences for his actions.
Manuel Trejo was remembered by his family and friends as a person of love and integrity, leaving behind a legacy that touched many lives.
