Man Arrested For Attempted Murder After He Fired Into Mother’s Vehicle
Eric James Garcia
DOB: 11/14/1991
Address: 808 13th Street N., St. Petersburg
Arrested for two counts attempted murder, two counts aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, two counts firing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle, person engaged in criminal offense having a weapon, felony threat via electronic communication, possession of marijuana.
A St. Petersburg man was arrested for attempted murder after he fired into an occupied vehicle, injuring his mother, Renee Garcia. His father, Luis Garica was also in the vehicle with Renee at the time. The incident occurred when his parents went looking for their son on the evening of February 20, 2014.  Their son burglarized their two homes; one in Hernando, the other in Pinellas Park earlier in the week.
According to deputies, on the evening of February 20, 2014, 62-year-old Renee Garcia and her husband 59-year-old Luis Garcia called police and then went to try to look for their son 22-year-old Eric James Garcia. According to deputies, the parents were trying to locate him after Eric had allegedly burglarized their two homes, one in Hernando County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, which was also set on fire, and the other in Pinellas Park Police Department’s jurisdiction. The parents located their son in the area of Sunrise Drive and Bryan Dairy at which point the son began to pursue them in his vehicle. Deputies say that at about Bryan Dairy and 98th street the son fired a shot into the vehicle, injuring his mom, who was driving , in the face. Deputies say mom continued to drive and transported herself to Largo Medical for treatment. Her injuries were characterized as non-life threatening. Deputies responded to the call and a “Be on the look out” (BOLO) was issued for the vehicle. While at the hospital, the father received a call from the son. Deputies say the son made threatening statements to his dad. The suspect vehicle was later spotted by Treasure Island Police Department in the area of 107th and Gulf Boulevard. Treasure Island initiated a pursuit, deputies responded to assist and deployed stop sticks. The suspect was arrested without further incident at approximately 66th Street and Central Avenue. No injuries or damage to property was reported. Mr. Garcia was arrested for two counts attempted murder, two counts aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, two counts firing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle, person engaged in criminal offense having a weapon, felony threat via electronic communication, possession of marijuana.
Additional charges have been placed by Treasure Island PD, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the Pinellas Park Police Department.