Jury Finds Garcia Guilty of Attempted Manslaughter, Other Crimes

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Clay County jury found Jesus Garcia guilty of Attempted Manslaughter by Act with a Firearm, Resisting an Officer without Violence, and Battery. Garcia faces up to 15 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Steven Whittington will sentence Garcia at a future hearing.

On Dec. 18, 2020, at an Orange Park apartment complex, Garcia was inside his apartment with his girlfriend and his upstairs neighbor. Garcia tried to kiss the neighbor, which started an argument between Garcia and his girlfriend. Garcia punched his girlfriend in her stomach and grabbed her by her hair. His girlfriend fled to the neighbor’s apartment for her safety. She left some of her belongings in Garcia’s apartment, so she went back downstairs. Garcia then grabbed his girlfriend by the throat and pushed her up against the wall. The neighbor witnessed the battery. The girlfriend and neighbor ran back upstairs, and Garcia followed them. He began banging on the door. Garcia returned to his apartment, grabbed his shotgun, and went back upstairs. The neighbor looked through the peephole and saw Garcia standing in front of her door, aiming his shotgun at her door. Garcia fired a shot, which struck the neighbor in the head. Garcia’s girlfriend called 911. Officers with Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrived and found Garcia holding a gun and banging on the apartment door. Garcia initially refused to put his weapon down. He eventually complied with the officers’ commands but resisted the officers while being arrested.

The case was investigated by Clay County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Randi Daugustinis and Cara Devlin.