Man detained in fatal shooting of Army veteran back from Afghanistan

Man arrested in fatal shooting of Army veteran back from Afghanistan

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Breanna Garcia, 13, center, mourns the loss of her brother Francisco Garcia with friends Jasmine Johnson, 13, left, and Angelica Maldonado, 13, right at a memorial in Sylmar where he was killed early Nov. 9. Francisco Garcia was an Army veteran. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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Breanna Garcia, 13, right, places a red, white and blue balloon at a memorial for her brother Francisco Garcia at the site of his fatal shooting in Sylmar. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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Fernando Mora, 25, of Van Nuys grieves for his friend Francisco Garcia. Mourners placed flowers and candles on the sidewalk where Garcia was slain early Nov. 8. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

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Maria Andrade holds her son Jesus Andrade, 8, as they mourn the loss of their friend Francisco Garcia at the site where the Army veteran was fatally shot on Dronfield Avenue in Sylmar early Nov. 9. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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Maria Andrade, left, leaves a candle in memory of her friend Francisco Garcia at the site where he was killed early Nov. 9. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

By Adolfo Flores

Nov. 11, 2014 9:47 PM PT

An 18-year-old man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder in connection with the weekend slaying of a 21-year-old Army veteran who had recently returned from Afghanistan, authorities said.

Vincent Estrada of Sylmar was being held at Van Nuys jail on $1-million bail on suspicion of killing Francisco Garcia, LAPD Officer Nuria Vanegas said.

Estrada had been detained by police earlier in the day while driving with his parents.

Garcia was fatally shot Sunday in the 13200 block of Dronfield Street before 2 a.m., Vernon said.

He had been celebrating with family and friends at the home of his girlfriend when partygoers decided to move to a new location, Det. Juan Santa said.

Two cars pulled up to where the group was standing near Astoria Street and an occupant of one of the cars jumped out, smashed a beer bottle on the ground and yelled at Garcia.

It appears that the dispute did not originate at the party but stemmed from a previous confrontation, Santa said. The killer walked to the other vehicle, got a handgun and began shooting at Garcia.

Garcia had returned from Afghanistan over the summer, officials said.

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