Local News

LPPD arrests 2 brothers in shooting

JOE SEELIG
Published: August 30, 2012

LAKE PLACID - Two brothers remained in the Highlands County Jail held without bond Wednesday after being charged by Lake Placid Police in connection with a shooting incident outside of the Hideaway Lounge on Aug. 25.

Jaime D. Garcia, 22, of 449 Sun 'n Lakes Blvd., Lake Placid, was booked over the weekend on charges of discharging a firearm in public, crimes against a person felony act that could result in death, felony criminal mischief $1,000 or more in property damage and carrying a concealed firearm.

Marcos David Garcia, 21, of 449 Sun 'n Lakes Blvd., Lake Placid, was booked on charges of criminal mischief with property damage more than $1,000, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, discharge of a firearm in public, crimes against a person committing an act that could cause death and reckless driving first offense – vehicle impounded LPPD.

According to the report Officer Stuart Troutman reported that Marcos Garcia got into a verbal confrontation with a man he claimed took a shot at them earlier, the report stated.

Police say the brothers retaliated, according to the report.

"The shots fired by Marcos Garcia were aimed at a pickup truck owned by (the man he argued with earlier) which was parked outside the Hideaway Lounge," Troutman reported.

In the lot, another man was actually seated in the man's truck when the vehicle was struck, with the shooter saying, "Today is your day," in Spanish, as Marcos Garcia allegedly pointed the gun at him and began shooting four or five times, the report stated.

Two spent 9mm shell casings were recovered, as well as a slug in the pavement.

At a traffic stop where Jaime Garcia was a passenger and Marcos Garcia was driving, police recovered a 9mm handgun under the passenger seat concealed from view. Also in the front passenger seat police recovered an empty 9mm shell casing that "matched the ones located at the scene," the report stated.

When asked at the scene of the traffic stop, Jaime Garcia was asked about the shooting.

"'He had an AR-15 with a (expletive deleted) scope, military, green scope and he shot at us earlier today,'" Jaime Garcia stated, "Indicating he was aware of what Marcos was doing," Troutman wrote, trying to establish his role as an accessory.

Marcos Garcia had two prior felony convictions in Florida, the report stated.

jseelig@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5834