An argument in a Taco Bell drive-thru turned deadly after an employee at the fast food restaurant accused a customer of trying to pay with a counterfeit bill.
At least one gunman opened fire in a Taco Bell drive-thru near the intersection of Century and Avalon Boulevards in South Los Angeles, killing an employee. Police say that the victim — later identified by family members as 41 year old Alejandro Garcia — was shot in the torso with a semi-automatic handgun following an alleged argument.
Garcia’s family members told Eyewitness News that the fight began over what they thought was a counterfeit $20 bill. Garcia and his son were working the night shift at Taco Bell, and his son refused to accept the bill from the suspected shooters.
“I guess they got upset and they just started shooting,” said Garcia’s cousin, Nancy Garcia del Sol. “My nephew was close by so he closed the window but the shots… they went in. [Garcia] got shot in the heart, and that’s what killed him, and he died there… in front of his son’s presence.”
When emergency responders arrived at the scene of the incident, they found the victim unconscious and not breathing.
Garcia leaves behind three children. According to family members, he worked at Taco Bell one night a week to earn extra money for his family.
Police are searching for two suspects in connection with the shooting. They have not released a detailed description of the suspects, only indicating that they are males between 20 and 25 years old.
Taco Bell released a statement regarding the incident, which read: “We are shocked and saddened to hear that this happened. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the team member in this difficult time. We understand the owner and operator of this location is working with the local authorities in their investigation and has reached out directly to the affected family to offer support.”
A GoFundMe has since been created for Garcia’s family, which has already collected more than $10,000 in donations as of January 9th.
