Derek Garcia, a 24-year-old resident of Portales, New Mexico, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, died on July 27, 2019, from a single gunshot wound to the chest. The incident occurred during a house party in the early morning hours at a residence located at 510 E. 18th St., just outside Portales.
The investigation into Garcia's death was conducted by the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office. According to the reports, the shooting took place after an altercation involving multiple individuals.
Devin Guidry II, 22, admitted to shooting Garcia but claimed he acted in self-defense after Garcia allegedly attacked him with a knife. Guidry was cooperative with investigators and provided his account of the events.
During the investigation, police executed nine search warrants against five individuals, involving three residences and one automobile. These searches yielded several items, including four. 40-caliber bullet casings, loaded magazines, brass knuckles, at least two pocket knives, and several bottles of alcohol. However, only alcohol, bullet casings, and two knives were found at the scene itself. The investigation also involved interviewing witnesses, with at least four people claiming to be direct witnesses to the shooting.
The scene described by Deputy Christian Townsend indicated a gathering of approximately 20 individuals, with several bottles of alcohol present and at least two individuals carrying pocket knives. Two other young men, Quintin Carmichael, 20, and Nino Darienzo, 22, were also injured during the altercation; Carmichael was shot in the leg, and Darienzo suffered multiple injuries.
Despite the initial claims of self-defense by Guidry, the case was thoroughly investigated. However, the Ninth District Attorney Andrea Reeb announced in February 2020 that no charges would be filed against Guidry. The decision was made after a grand jury declined to charge him, supporting the claim that Guidry acted in self-defense. Reeb noted that there was evidence to support both the guilt and innocence of the shooter, but the grand jury's decision was to not pursue charges.
Garcia's death was met with significant community grief, as he was a well-respected and beloved member of his community. He had served in the U.S. Army, completing 38 career jumps as a paratrooper and participating in numerous missions, including Operation Enduring Freedom. His family and friends remembered him fondly, and his death was seen as a tragic loss to the community.
