On a summer morning in Saline, Michigan, the life of 40-year-old Amber Jo Thomas was tragically cut short. On August 3, 2023, while on a break from her job at the Linden Square Assisted Living Facility, Amber was walking to her car in a nearby parking lot with a male acquaintance. It was then that her ex-boyfriend, 58-year-old Barry Garza, allegedly ambushed her.
Garza is accused of opening fire on both Thomas and her 67-year-old colleague.
Amber was shot in the neck and succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital shortly after the attack. Her male acquaintance was also shot but was reported to be in stable condition. The shooting is being investigated as a homicide.
Following the shooting, Garza fled the scene in a tan Ford Focus. His escape was short-lived as he was involved in a head-on collision at South Ann Arbor and Willis Roads. A Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputy who was responding to the shooting scene came upon the crash. Garza was reportedly uncooperative with the deputy's commands and was subsequently tased before being taken into custody.
The incident occurred just six days after Amber Jo Thomas had been granted a personal protection order against Garza, though it had not yet been served to him. In her application for the protective order, Amber detailed a history of physical and verbal abuse throughout their nine-year relationship. She expressed her fear, stating that he had threatened to kill her on several occasions.
Barry Lee Garza of Adrian was arraigned on charges of open murder for the death of Amber Jo Thomas, assault with intent to murder for the shooting of Richard Edwards, and felony firearm. He stood mute during his arraignment, and a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. The judge ordered him to be held without bond. During the proceedings, the assistant prosecuting attorney stated that Garza made incriminating statements at the time of his arrest, allegedly saying, 'I'm not sorry I killed that f---ing b----h.' His criminal history includes prior domestic violence charges and an aggravated stalking charge.
