A 35-year-old Florida man, Eric Jose Garcia, is currently in custody at the Miami-Dade Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, facing two counts of second-degree murder. Garcia is accused of fatally shooting Juan Miguel Menjivar, 53, and Jose Wilian Galdamez Menjivar, 40, at a plant nursery on Sunday around 5 p.m., according to the Miami-Dade Police Department.
Local media sources have obtained a probable cause arrest affidavit that outlines the sequence of events leading up to the alleged shooting. Garcia, in a post-Miranda interview with the police, reportedly stated that he was driving on the nursery’s property, where he also resides. He encountered a pickup truck blocking his path, and when he asked the occupants to move their vehicle, they allegedly refused.
Garcia claimed that one of the men smashed a beer bottle on his vehicle’s hood and approached his partially open door, making him feel threatened. In response, Garcia allegedly exited his vehicle and began firing his weapon. He reportedly continued to shoot even as the victims attempted to flee.
Garcia allegedly confessed to deputies that he continued firing at both victims with the intention of ensuring their deaths. A witness reportedly observed the entire incident. Garcia called 911 and remained at the scene until police arrived. Upon arrival, officers discovered the two victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics declared both men dead at the scene.
Following his interview with the police, Garcia was taken into custody. Authorities did not believe his actions were justified, and he remains in jail without bond. Court records have not yet listed an attorney for Garcia.