(TRACY, CA.) - A mother is in mourning over the tragic death of her 18-year-old son, Andres Sauceda Garcia, who was fatally stabbed at the West Valley Mall in Tracy, CA.
Photo Credit: TracyPD.com
The incident took place on Friday Jun 26, when the Tracy police department was notified by witnesses of a stabbing that had taken place outside of a Target store. Officers were quickly dispatched to the retail shop located at 2800 Naglee Road.
While officers were en route, dispatch received additional calls from bystanders informing them that the suspect seen stabbing the victim was attempting to flee the scene. It was at that time that the witnesses apprehended the assailant right outside of the adjacent Hobby Lobby store.
Once law enforcement arrived, they identified a male who’d suffered injuries consistent with stab wounds and with the help of bystanders, attempted to stop the bleeding. Garcia was immediately transported to a nearby hospital while Officers at the scene apprehended the suspect.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Shortly after being taken to the hospital where he was being treated, Garcia tragically succumbed to his wounds and died. Rosalinda Garcia Villa spoke fondly of her son stating that he was currently working in construction and had plans to go back to school.
The suspect, whose name has not been made public, was identified as a 15 year old boy and was arrested without incident. Information gathered by investigators suggests the two males knew each other.
Public Information Officer Kayiln Heefner told Opgov.news that as of now, investigators are currently seeking out a witness who may have crucial information relating to the stabbing. “ ..Last week we put out a post looking for a witness, particularly a woman that was at the scene..”, Heefner said.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
She confirmed that the woman had picked up the weapon used to attack the victim sometime after the attack and he handed it over to police shortly before leaving. She is not currently being looked at as a suspect.
Rosalinda Garcia Villa, Andres’ mother, has organized a GoFundme with a goal to reach $20,000. In the official statement for her GoFundMe, she expresses that she is a single mother in need of help to garner funds for funeral expenses.
Public Information Officer Kayiln Heefner also told Opgov.news that it's important for parents to be present in the lives of their children. “Encourage them to get involved in positive activities,” Heefner said.
Photo Credit: GoFundMe.com
She referenced the Tracy Police Activities League, a non-profit organization aimed at building residents’ communities and helping the youth. The police program consists of learning skills through vocational trades, S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) related fields through their robotics program, and also hosts boxing classes.
As of now, the investigation into the motive behind the attack and other background information regarding the two boys' relationship to each other is still ongoing. Police said the initial attack did not pose a threat to the community at large.
There is a memorial just outside the place he was killed. Attached to a tree is an image of the young man, who is honored by his grieving mother and remembered by his saddened community.
This is a developing story. If you have questions, comments, or would like to leave a tip, please email me at yikaileau.w@lead4earth.org
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