Matt Garcia News Blog

Authorities arrest Garcia shooting suspect in Las Vegas

By Audrey Wong | Daily Republic | September 20, 2008 21:26

FAIRFIELD - Henry Don Williams, who faces a murder charge in the Sept. 1 shooting death of City Councilman Matt Garcia, was arrested Saturday while working at a Las Vegas restaurant under an assumed name.

Fairfield Deputy Police Chief Paul Bockrath announced the arrest, which occurred at 2:40 p.m., saying the effort to catch Williams was led by the U.S. Marshals Service's Los Angeles Regional Taskforce. Las Vegas police and Fairfield detectives also were involved, he added.

Williams was arrested without incident, Bockrath said. The 32-year-old Fairfield man had been described as armed and dangerous by Police Chief Kenton Rainey on Sept. 13, when police named Williams as a suspect and announced the arrests of Gene Allen Combs and Nicole Stewart.

A federal arrest warrant was issued Thursday for Williams, charging him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, because it was believed he had fled the state or was in the process of fleeing.

Williams, who is being held at the Clark County (Nev.) Detention Facility, is not a stranger to Las Vegas authorities. He was arrested on two felony theft charges in 2003 and ordered to pay $3,200 in restitution, according to Clark County court records.

Later that same year, Williams was arrested for two felony forgery charges. The theft and felony cases were resolved in November 2003 with a plea deal in which Williams received a 12- to 32- month prison sentence.

The two Las Vegas cases led to Williams being sentenced to 16 months in prison in 2004 after he was arrested in San Bernardino County and charged with obstructing an executive officer.

When Williams will return to California depends on whether he contests being extradited or waives his extradition hearing, Bockrath said. If Williams chooses an extradition hearing, Bockrath added, then police will have to wait for that matter to be settled.

Raymond Courtemanche, Garcia's stepfather, expressed his gratitude on the behalf of the family for authorities' efforts in tracking down Williams.

'The arrest of Williams is one more step closer to bringing healing and closure to this community, who loved Matt and believed in a dream for a better Fairfield,' Courtemanche stated in a police press release.

That is a far cry from how members of the family felt Thursday after Solano County District Attorney Dave Paulson announced that Stewart, 33, of Fairfield has been released from Solano County Jail.

Stewart had admitted to driving Williams and Combs, 45, of Suisun City to Silverado Drive in Cordelia Villages on the night of Sept. 1 to collect a narcotics debt. She also told a television reporter that it was Williams, her boyfriend, who exited the car and opened fire on Garcia, 22.

Garcia was shot once in the back of the head.

Paulson defended his decision to release Stewart, who is nine months pregnant, by saying his office was 'not aware of any admissible evidence that proves criminal responsibility on her part.' The district attorney added that Stewart was 'in the company' of his investigators.

Combs was charged Thursday with first-degree murder, did not enter a plea and then accused authorities of arresting the wrong man. Paulson expressed confidence that his office had evidence to support the charge against Combs.

The convictions of Williams and Combs will depend heavily on the 'truthful testimony' by Stewart, Paulson said.   

Reach Audrey Wong at 427-6951 or awong@dailyrepublic.net.

DA draws criticism for releasing suspect

By Daily Republic staff |  | September 18, 2008 21:27

FAIRFIELD - Mark Garcia didn't know what to think after learning that a suspect in the Sept. 1 shooting death of his nephew, Councilman Matt Garcia, had been released from jail.

Nicole Stewart, 33, of Fairfield will not face charges in the case, Solano County District Attorney Dave Paulson announced at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

'We are not aware of any admissible evidence that proves criminal responsibility on her part,' Paulson said.

Paulson's decision shocked members of the Garcia family and Matt Garcia's colleagues on the City Council.

'We're puzzled that she would be released, especially when you look around the community and we know people are getting jail time for petty crimes,' Mark Garcia said. 'This was somebody who was involved in this tragedy that affected the whole community.'

'We have no option at this time other than to let the DA prosecute the case as he desires,' he added. 'Our hope is that when everything is said and done, justice will be brought to Matt Garcia and our family.'

The reaction among city councilmembers ranged from disturbed to furious.

'To say that I'm not happy would be a gross understatement,' said Councilman Chuck Timm, a former police sergeant.

The decision to release Stewart 'is another indication the DA's office can't do their job,' said Councilman John Mraz, a retired police officer. 'The one part about being an elected official is that when you fail to do your job . . . the people have a remedy and that remedy is recall.'

Mayor Harry Price called the decision 'very disturbing.'

Stewart and Gene Allen Combs, 45, of Suisun City were arrested by Fairfield police last Friday night and booked on charges of murder, conspiracy and felony use of a firearm.

'We booked Combs and Stewart on charges we believed our evidence supported,' Deputy Police Chief Paul Bockrath said Thursday.

The charges against the two changed Tuesday, when they were expected to be arraigned. Stewart and Combs were re-arrested and booked again.

Stewart was charged with being an accessory after the fact of a felony after admitting to police that she was the driver on the night of the shooting.

'I'm concerned about the legal standard,' Paulson said in dropping the murder charge against Stewart. 'I'd expect the community to care about the moral standard.'

Combs was booked on a murder charge after telling police that he was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Stewart and had gone to Silverado Drive in Cordelia Villages to collect a narcotics debt.

Matt Garcia, 22, was shot once in the back of the head after getting out of his car to visit a friend on Silverado Drive. 

Combs appeared in court Thursday, was charged with first-degree murder and did not enter a plea. He then said that authorities had arrested the wrong man before being ordered to return to court Monday, when he will likely have an attorney appointed to handle his case.

Paulson disagreed with Combs' assessment of the investigation.

'On Tuesday, we had nothing more than a suspicion of Combs' responsibility for the murder, but suspicion is not evidence,' Paulson said. 'Now we have evidence.'

The Solano County Public Defender's Office passed on representing Combs, according to one attorney in the office, because the office is saving its resources for the third suspect in the shooting -- Henry Don Williams, 32, of Fairfield.

The search continued Thursday for Williams, who has been charged with murder and identified by Stewart -- his pregnant girlfriend -- as the shooter.

Paulson said Stewart is 'in the company' of his investigators and urged the public and the media not to attempt to contact her. Paulson added that Stewart's 'truthful testimony' will be essential to convicting Combs and Williams.

Staff writers Audrey Wong , Jess Sullivan and Ben Antonius contributed to this story.

Reach Audrey Wong at 427-6951 or awong@dailyrepublic.net. Reach Jess Sullivan at 427-6919 or jsullivan@dailyrepublic.net. Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.

Ceremony at SCC reinforces slain councilman's dream

By Nika Megino | Daily Republic | September 18, 2008 13:44

FAIRFIELD - Members of Matt Garcia's family, city officials and community members paid tribute to the slain city councilman Thursday in a ceremony at Solano Community College.

Garcia, 22, had been scheduled to speak at the college the same day as part of an Ethnic Studies Program event. Instead, those close to him shared their memories of the youngest councilman in the city's history.

Family members and city officials used words such as courageous, committed, passionate and enthusiastic to describe Garcia's personality.

Mayor Harry Price, Councilman Chuck Timm, Police Chief Kenton Rainey and Fire Chief Vince Webster talked of making a stand and becoming involved to fulfill Garcia's dreams of improving Fairfield.

'You'll never replace Matt Garcia, but the ideas and passion you have can,' said Timm, who recalled Garcia's bright smile and warm handshake.

Timm also mentioned Garcia's personalized license plate 'FFINEST.'

'(It stood for) Fairfield is the finest city and he believed that,' Timm said. 'We need somebody to carry on the same ideology.'

Rainey encouraged the community to get involved now.

'Tomorrow's not promised to any of us,' Rainey said. '(Garcia) proved that one person can and will make a difference.'

Garcia's family members wore shirts adorned with the words 'In Loving Memory' and 'Keep the Dream Alive.' They asked the community to make a difference one step at a time.

'All my cousin wanted you to do was meet goals and achieve them,' Michael Garcia said.

Raymond Courtemanche, Matt Garcia's stepfather, added, 'Collectively, we can do great things together. Let's live the dream and continue to do what is right in our community.'

Reach Nika Megino at 427-6953 or nmegino@dailyrepublic.net.

Fairfield council votes to add $50,000 to Garcia case reward

By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | September 17, 2008 09:21
FAIRFIELD - Colleagues of slain Councilman Matt Garcia expressed mixed emotions Tuesday to news that one of the three people involved in the fatal shooting will not face a murder charge as had been previously announced.

Nicole Stewart, 33, of Fairfield was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on charges of murder, conspiracy and felony use of a firearm, but prosecutors said she will instead face a felony charge of being an accessory after the fact to a felony.

Gene Allen Combs, 45, of Suisun City originally faced the same charges as Stewart but will now face a murder charge without the enhancement of using a firearm.

The changes means prosecutors have until Thursday to arraign the two.

Mayor Harry Price said he was 'very disappointed' to hear of the changes, saying he hoped 'the investigation would lead to more serious consequences.'

The new charges 'seem appropriate' considering the reported circumstances of the shooting, Councilman John Mraz said. Mraz added that the move 'buys time' for prosecutors to cement their case.

Garcia, 22, was fatally shot Sept. 1 outside a home on Silverado Drive in Cordelia Villages.

As authorities continue to search for alleged gunman Henry Don Williams, 32, of Fairfield, the City Council voted Tuesday night to increase the reward in the case by an additional $50,000. That brings the total reward to $150,000.

'$150,000 may cause someone to want to come forward now and lead us to the apprehension of that person,' Price said.

If the reward is not paid out by the end of 2012, the money will be put toward youth activities, said City Manager Sean Quinn.

Meanwhile, interest remains high in Garcia's council seat. As of Tuesday afternoon, 51 people had picked up applications and six had returned them.

'I am getting so many phone calls and face-to-face conversations with people who feel the need to serve now,' Price said. 'They believe in what Matt was doing. He touched so many lives.'

As of Tuesday, the applicants for the position were Amanda Downing, Andre Gardner, Tom Jurewitz, Brian Kermoade, Ruben Padilla and Mary Steiner.

Applications must be filed by 5 p.m. Friday.

Because of the large number of applicants, the council will hold a special meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday to assign a subcommittee to wade through the applications and pick a group of finalists, Quinn said.

Finalists for the position will be interviewed during a public meeting on Sept. 29 and a candidate will be selected by Sept. 30. The new councilmember will be sworn in Oct. 7.

Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.

District attorney delays arraignment for suspects in Garcia shooting

By Jess Sullivan | Daily Republic | September 16, 2008 18:28

FAIRFIELD - Prosecutors on Tuesday held off filing charges against two of the three suspects in the Sept. 1 shooting death of Councilman Matt Garcia.

Gene Allen Combs, 45, of Suisun City and Nicole Stewart, 33, of Fairfield had expected to have charges filed against them by Tuesday morning after their arrests Friday night culminated an intensive 12-day investigation. Fairfield police announced the arrests Saturday morning.

Prosecutors instead opted to re-arrest Combs and Stewart from inside Solano County Jail, a move giving prosecutors until Thursday morning to review evidence in the case before finalizing what charges the two will face.

Stewart and Combs were both originally booked on charges of murder, conspiracy and felony use of a firearm.

Combs was booked Tuesday on a murder charge, and Stewart was booked on a felony charge of being an accessory after the fact to a felony, county District Attorney David Paulson said at an afternoon press conference.

The change could make Stewart, who is nine months pregnant, eligible for posting bail before her possible arraignment Thursday, Paulson said.

When asked about the changes in the charges, Fairfield Deputy Police Chief Paul Bockrath said, 'We are working very closely with the District Attorney's office to come to a successful resolution and prosecution of this case.'

Authorities believe Stewart and Combs accompanied Henry Don Williams, 32, of Fairfield to Silverado Drive in Cordelia Villages on Sept. 1. According to statements by Stewart and Combs in their arrest reports, Combs was a passenger in a car driven by Combs and was going to collect a narcotics debt.

Stewart told a television reporter that it was Williams who exited the car and opened fire on Garcia, 22, who had gone to Silverado Drive to visit a friend, Jennifer Tarbell. Garcia was shot once in the back of the head.

'Matt Garcia is unequivocally and absolutely an innocent victim who was in the wrong place at the wrong time,' Paulson said in an emphatic response to media questions about any relationship the suspects may have had to the slain councilman.

The district attorney made similar remarks about Tarbell, saying there was no evidence that she knew any of the suspects.

Paulson confirmed during the press conference that his office had filed murder charges against Williams and that a federal arrest warrant has been filed that charges Williams with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution because the suspect may have fled the state.

Bockrath said the federal warrant will help investigators 'make sure we have covered any possible avenue of escape.'

The murder weapon has not yet been recovered, Paulson said.

According to Paulson, authorities had identified and spoken to the person who was the intended target of the shooting and may have been believed to be in the 'general vicinity' of the crime scene.

Bockrath confirmed that investigators have spoken to the intended target and that they 'don't believe Garcia and Tarbell knew the person targeted.'

Staff writer Audrey Wong contributed to this story. Reach Jess Sullivan at 427-6919 or jsullivan@dailyrepublic.net.

Council vacancy attracts immense interest

By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | September 15, 2008 17:53

FAIRFIELD - Forty-one residents have taken out applications for the Fairfield City Council, although only two had applied as of Monday evening.

The eight-day application window opened Sept. 12 and closes at 5 p.m. Friday. The Fairfield City Council voted to appoint someone to take the seat of late Councilman Matt Garcia.

The two applicants are Amanda Downing and Tom Jurewitz, the city clerk's office said. An additional 39 people have picked up applications but have not yet returned them.

Local businessman Steven Kays, who has finished third in the past two council elections, said he plans to apply. He noted that Vallejo, which is a charter city, automatically appoints the third-place finisher in the case of a vacancy.

Garcia, 22, was fatally shot Sept. 1 outside a home on Silverado Drive in Cordelia Villages. He was pronounced dead Sept. 2, but his body was kept on life support to allow for organ donation.

The council is widely expected to approve adding another $50,000 to the reward in the case tonight, its first regular meeting since Garcia's death. The council held a brief special meeting Thursday night at which it decided to fill the seat by appointment instead of holding a costly special election.

That would bring the total reward to $150,000, a figure that could climb if residents contribute.

'Additional funds may be contributed by the community and would be added to a special interest-bearing account,' City Manager Sean Quinn wrote in a report to the council.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. today in the council chamber at 1000 Webster St.

Meanwhile, several other efforts to honor Garcia are moving forward.

His family has arranged for 'Keeping the Dream Alive' T-shirts to be sold at three stores, with the proceeds going to the Matt Garcia Memorial Fund.

The shirts can be bought for $15 at Digital Stitch and Triple H in Fairfield and Bay Wearea Clothing in Vacaville. Of the purchase price, $10 goes to the cost of producing the shirt and $5 goes to the memorial fund.

A 'stop the violence' march is planned for Saturday. The event will start at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Texas Street near the intersection with Pennsylvania Avenue and proceed to the Solano County Government Center plaza at 475 Texas St.

The Ethnic Studies Program at Solano Community College also announced plans for a tribute to the councilman. Garcia had taken classes at SCC before his death.

The event will 'recognize his many contributions to Solano Community College and the local community,' organizers said.

The tribute event is scheduled from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m. Thursday in the campus theater in building 1200.

Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.

Suspect in Garcia shooting is former felon

By Audrey Wong | DAILY REPUBLIC | September 15, 2008 19:41

FAIRFIELD -The search continued Monday for Henry Don Williams, the third suspect in the shooting death of Councilman Matt Garcia who has been identified by his pregnant girlfriend as the person who fired the fatal bullet.

'He's still outstanding,' Lt. Bob Bunting said of Williams, a 32-year-old Fairfield resident. 'His whereabouts are still unknown.'

Investigators searched for Williams in Berkeley on Saturday evening after finding a 1993 gray Dodge Interpid that they believe may have been involved in the Sept. 1 shooting. Police are combing the vehicle to look for evidence.

Williams was described by Police Chief Kenton Rainey at a press conference Saturday morning as having an extensive criminal history and being armed and dangerous.

Williams had been on parole from prison as recently as April for a San Bernardino County felony offense, according to a spokesman with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Locally, Williams had a drunken driving conviction after being arrested by Fairfield police in November 2006 following a routine traffic stop.

In 2000, Williams was arrested in San Bernardino County and charged with obstructing an executive officer. After initially being placed on probation, he was sentenced in 2004 to 16 months in prison because of two felony cases in Las Vegas, according to San Bernardino County court records.

Williams was arrested in 2003 for two felony theft charges in Las Vegas and ordered to pay $3,200 in restitution, according to Clark County (Nev.) court records. Later that year, he was arrested for two felony forgery charges.

The theft and felony cases were resolved at the same time in November 2003 with a plea deal in which Williams received a 12- to 32-month prison stint. He began his parole in the San Bernardino County case in September 2004.

Saturday's press conference was held to announce the arrests of Gene Allen Combs, 45, of Suisun City and Nicole Stewart, 33, of Fairfield and to identify Williams, who also goes by 'Cali' or 'Collie,' as the third suspect.

Stewart is nine months pregnant, and Williams is the father. Stewart and Combs are scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. today in Solano County Superior Court.

After arriving at Solano County Jail, Stewart said during an interview with a television reporter that it was Williams who opened fire after getting out of the car and that she, Combs and Williams did not know it was Garcia who had been shot.

The three had gone to the 5000 block of Silverado Drive in Cordelia Villages on the night of Sept. 1 to collect a narcotics debt, according to statements by Combs and Stewart in their arrest reports. Garcia, 22, was shot after getting out of his car to visit a friend, Jennifer Tarbell.

Stewart told the television reporter that she did not learn until the next day that it was Garcia who had been shot and that 'only (Williams) can answer why he shot him.'

Williams has been described as a 5-foot-9, 180-pound black male. Anyone with information can call an investigation tip line at 428-7790 or Solano County Crime Stoppers at 644-STOP (7867).

There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case, and the Fairfield City Council is expected to approve the contribution of an additional $50,000 at its meeting tonight.

Staff Writer Jess Sullivan contributed to this story.

Reach Audrey Wong at 427-6951 or awong@dailyrepublic.net.

Third suspect in Garcia slaying case still at large

By Audrey Wong | DAILY REPUBLIC | September 14, 2008 20:04

FAIRFIELD - A third suspect in the slaying of City Councilman Matt Garcia remained at large Sunday but police plan to examine a vehicle they believe is involved in the case, Lt. Bob Bunting said.

'We have possession of it and we will process it for possible evidence,' Bunting said.

Police found the gray Dodge 1993 Intrepid in Berkeley Saturday night, hours after they arrested a Suisun City man and pregnant Fairfield woman in connection with the fatal Labor Day shooting.

Investigators continued working with other police agencies Sunday to search for Henry Don Williams, 32, of Fairfield. Bunting would not say if the Intrepid belongs to Williams or if anybody was in the car when it was recovered.

Bunting also did not answer questions about where suspects Gene Allen Combs, 45, and Nicole Stewart, 33, were arrested early Saturday. The arrest report for Combs listed he was arrested at 1000 Webster Street, the location for the Fairfield police department. Police apprehended Stewart in the 300 block of East Tabor Avenue, according to her arrest report.

According to the reports, Combs admitted to traveling to the 5000 block of Silverado Drive to collect on a narcotics debt. Stewart drove Combs and another passenger to the Cordelia Villages street. Garcia was visiting a friend in that area. The other passenger exited the vehicle and shot at Garcia, striking him once in the head. Garcia was declared brain dead the following day.

Stewart said in a Saturday television interview that Williams was the one who exited the vehicle and fired the gun. The three didn't know it was Garcia who was shot, Stewart told Rowena Shaddox, a reporter for FOX 40 TV in Sacramento and former Daily Republic employee.

Combs and Stewart face charges of murder, conspiracy and use of a firearm and are at Solano County Jail with no bail. They are scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Solano County Superior Court.

Williams is black, 5 feet 9 inches and 180 pounds. He also goes by the name 'Cali' or 'Collie.' Police described him as armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information can call police at 428-7300 or Solano County Crime Stoppers at 644-STOP.

Reach Audrey Wong at 427-6951 or awong@dailyrepublic.net.

Suspects may not have known they shot Garcia

By Cecil Conley and Nika Megino | Daily Republic | September 13, 2008 22:15

FAIRFIELD - Matt Garcia may have been shot to death Sept. 1 because the city councilman was mistaken as a person owing a 'narcotics debt.'

A source close to Garcia's family told the Daily Republic on Saturday that investigators believe Garcia, 22, was shot in an incident of mistaken identity during what was supposedly a drug deal on Silverado Drive in Cordelia Villages. Garcia had gone to Silverado Drive about 8:30 p.m. to visit a friend, Jennifer Tarbell.

Police held a press conference Saturday morning to announce they had arrested two suspects -- Gene Allen Combs, 45, of Suisun City and Nicole Stewart, 33, of Fairfield. The two were booked into Solano County Jail on charges of murder, conspiracy and felony use of a firearm.

According to the arrest reports, which police Capt. Darrin Moody said are based on statements by the suspects, Combs was one of two male passengers in a car driven by Stewart and that the three had gone to Silverado Drive on the night of Sept. 1 to collect a narcotics debt.

According to those statements, the second male passenger exited the vehicle and opened fire on Garcia as the councilman got out of his Cadillac.

Rowena Shaddox, a reporter for FOX 40 TV in Sacramento and a former Daily Republic employee, interviewed Stewart shortly after Stewart arrived at the jail. During the interview, Stewart told Shaddox that the three people in the car had no idea it was Garcia who had been shot. "I didn't find out until the next day that is was Matt Garcia on the news," Stewart told Shaddox.

Stewart also told Shaddox that is was Williams that got out of the car and fired the shots.

"Only Henry can answer why he shot him," Stewart said.

Stewart said she saw Garcia's grandmother ask why her grandson had been shot at Garcia's memorial. Stewart said to "Tell her I'm so sorry, but that won't bring her grandson back."

Garcia was shot once in the back of the head. He was airlifted to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

He was declared brain dead Sept. 2.

That second passenger may have been Henry Don Williams, 32, of Fairfield, whom police identified Saturday as the third suspect in the investigation.

Police Chief Kenton Rainey described Williams, who has an extensive criminal history, as 'armed and dangerous' and vowed a relentless pursuit.

'Turn yourself in,' Rainey said. 'We're not going to rest. We're going to hunt you down and bring you to justice. We're going to continue to chase.'

Williams' car was found in Berkeley on Saturday, Moody said, but authorities were unable to locate Williams after talking to people in the vicinity.

According to several sources, Stewart is nine months pregnant and Williams is believed to be the father.

The description of Williams given at the press conference -- a 5-foot-9, 180-pound black male -- was similar to previous descriptions of the shooter given by police officials. Police had previously said the shooter was a light-skinned black or Hispanic male, 5-foot-9 with a medium build.

'We're confident that the three named today were involved in this crime,' Rainey said.

Garcia's stepfather, Raymond Courtemanche, and Councilman Chuck Timm thanked the public for not taking any actions to avenge Garcia's death.

'Let the justice system take it,' said Timm, a retired police officer. 'I know a lot of people wanted to avenge Matt and they've been good (about doing nothing).'

Courtemanche said the family has confidence in 'Rainey and his leadership' and that 'we don't want additional bloodshed on our great city.'

Combs and Stewart are scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Solano County Superior Court.

The Fairfield City Council on Tuesday night is expected to approve a contribution of $50,000 to the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger contributed the first $50,000, and the Solano County Board of Supervisors added $50,000.

Reach Cecil Conley at 427-6925 or cconley@dailyrepublic.net. Reach Nika Megino at 427-6953 or nmegino@dailyrepublic.net.

Pressure mounts to catch councilman's killer

By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | September 10, 2008 18:42

FAIRFIELD - Police on Wednesday acknowledged they are starting to feel community pressure in their investigation of the slaying of Councilman Matt Garcia.

Although police expressed high hopes following the doubling of the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, the ninth day of the investigation passed with neither an arrest nor any new suspect information.

'There's nothing (new),' said Officer Becky Belk, a spokeswoman for the department.

A tip line has been specifically established for the Garcia case. The state has offered $50,000 for information, and Solano County has offered another $50,000. The Fairfield City Council is expected to add yet another $50,000 at its Sept. 16 meeting.

'I feel confident that it will be solved,' Belk said. 'It's a tip away from being solved.'

Garcia, 22, was fatally shot the night of Sept. 1 in front of the Cordelia Villages home of Jennifer Tarbell, whom police have described as a 'cooperating witness' in the case.

However, Belk said the dark street prevented Tarbell from identifying the suspect. Belk added that the description of the suspect has not been enough to produce a composite sketch.

Investigators have yet to determine a motive, Belk said.

Belk noted that speakers at Garcia's funeral Tuesday afternoon -- including his grandmother, Chris Garcia -- exhorted investigators to find his killer.

'As time goes on, I am sure the pressure will increase,' Belk said.

Police have said they have more than 100 people working on the case and are receiving assistance from the FBI, the state Department of Justice and nearby law enforcement agencies.

However, statements by police in the case have typically been only terse statements that investigators are 'working diligently' and 'following up on leads.'

Police Chief Kenton Rainey declined Wednesday to comment on the case, referring any questions to Belk.

'I don't think I have anything to add,' Rainey said.

Police have released only a vague description of the suspect in the shooting: a light-skinned black or Hispanic male in his late teens to early 20s, about 5-foot-9 with a medium build.

The department is at its highest staffing level on the street, Belk said. Specialists have been brought in from agencies that have expertise dealing with high-profile investigations, she added.

Asked whether family members were getting frustrated with the pace of the investigation, a spokesman for Garcia's family said before the funeral Tuesday that they support the investigation.

'They have not expressed any frustration,' spokesman Ron Marlette said. 'They believe in the city's police department and its chief.'

Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.