ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) \u2014 Alan Garcia had just picked up his two children from school when it happened. He was trying to get off a freeway, and another car forced him out of his lane.<\/p>\n
Garcia gestured toward the other driver and swore at him. Then, authorities said, the seemingly trivial episode turned deadly. A man in the other car opened fire on Garcia\u2019s pickup truck, hitting his 4-year-old daughter in the head and shocking New Mexico\u2019s largest city.<\/p>\n
The apparent road-rage slaying began with one vehicle cutting off another, police said Thursday, two days after the fatal confrontation.<\/p>\n
Garcia told police he heard two gunshots. Then his 7-year-old son said, \u201cShe\u2019s bleeding,\u201d referring to his little sister.<\/p>\n
The suspect, identified as Tony Torrez, continued to pursue Garcia\u2019s truck and fired twice more, according to a criminal complaint released Thursday. Garcia pulled over and tried to give first aid to his dying little girl as a bystander called 911.<\/p>\n
When help arrived, Lilly Garcia was lying on the tailgate of her father\u2019s truck in the median, bleeding heavily.<\/p>\n
Police said Torrez, who was arrested Wednesday, admitted firing on the family as they traveled on Interstate 40, Albuquerque\u2019s main east-west freeway. He has been charged with murder, assault, child abuse and other crimes. He made a court appearance from jail via video as a judge reviewed the terms of his $650,000 cash-only bond.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is possibly one of the most wanton and atrocious acts in the history of this city,\u201d Judge Chris Schultz said.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, police received an anonymous tip from a caller who alleged that the 32-year-old had admitted shooting the child after Garcia\u2019s truck tried to run him off the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two drivers exchanged words when Torrez pulled out a gun\u201d and fired, the statement continued. \u201cLilly was hit at least once in the head.\u201d<\/p>\n
Todd Farkas, a public defender assigned to the case, declined to comment but said he planned to release a statement on Friday.<\/p>\n
The little girl\u2019s grandfather said the attack left the family deep in mourning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey really have to do something about this. It\u2019s a problem,\u201d Jose Garcia said Thursday, referring to gun violence.<\/p>\n
He spoke to The Associated Press in Spanish as he stood outside the family home, which is just south of the highway where the shooting occurred in a newly developed area of west Albuquerque.<\/p>\n
After the shooting, a man alerted a dispatcher to a truck stopped on an I-40 median with \u201can adult holding an unresponsive child,\u201d according to a roughly minute-long call released by police.<\/p>\n
Two nurses showed up and tried to save the girl\u2019s life before an ambulance rushed her to the hospital, where she died, Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden said.<\/p>\n
Authorities quickly began pressing the public for tips, offering $25,000 for information leading to the arrest of the shooter, who was driving a newer-model maroon or dark red Toyota Corolla or Camry with a spoiler on the trunk and dark tinted windows. The car also had a University of New Mexico license plate.<\/p>\n
The young girl\u2019s death spawned an outpouring of sympathy nationwide. A GoFundMe account for funeral services and other expenses received more than $64,000 since being created Tuesday. The hashtag #JusticeForLilly began showing up on social media.<\/p>\n
Torrez has been tied to violent crimes in New Mexico dating back a decade, but all of those cases were dropped.<\/p>\n
The only crime for which he\u2019s been prosecuted was a misdemeanor speeding violation. He pleaded guilty to going 16 to 20 mph over the speed limit in April 2013, according to court records.<\/p>\n
Around that time, charges including abandonment or abuse of a child and aggravated battery of a household member were dismissed after the victim died. Prosecutors also were not able to proceed with 2006 domestic violence charges.<\/p>\n
Lindi Walsh worked with Lilly\u2019s mother, Veronica Garcia, at a drugstore five years ago and keeps in touch with her through Facebook. She recalled how much her friend wanted a second child. In the weeks following Lilly\u2019s birth, the new mom often posted pictures with the infant.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could see through Facebook how radiant, how thrilled she was to have a baby girl,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cOne thing I know is Veronica is a very affectionate and loving person. Her kids are her world, no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n
At a news conference late Wednesday, the police chief released details of Torrez\u2019s arrest and information about an unrelated shooting that evening that left an officer critically wounded. A man was later arrested in that case.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, this is a terrible day,\u201d Eden said.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
Associated Press Writer Bob Seavey in Phoenix contributed to this report.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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