Family Mourns Marine Veteran, 41, Killed by Gunfire While Driving

The untimely death of a Marine Corps veteran has left a community reeling and wondering why. 

Michael Garcia, 41, was killed on Tuesday while driving, caught in a senseless crossfire that claimed the life of a devoted father, loving partner, and loyal friend. 

Police in New Orleans arrested Terrence Leavell, 48, in connection with the crime, charging him with manslaughter and gun charges. On Wednesday, a judge set Leavell’s bond at $700,000. 

According to police, officers responded to North Claiborne Avenue and Desire Street, to investigate a report of gunfire and a car crash around 5 p.m. 

When police arrived, they discovered Garcia slumped in his car’s driver’s seat. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Paramedics transported him to University Medical Center in New Orleans, but the veteran died about an hour later. 

Driving to Girlfriend’s Home 

Based on witness accounts, a shootout occurred between two vehicles. Court records indicate that one of the men tried to escape the scene after being shot at and collided with Garcia’s car. 

About one block away, another crime scene was discovered when police found several shell casings. 

A resident told police he saw a neighbor firing a handgun in the area. Detectives identified that neighbor as Leavell and later found a gun inside his home. Leavell, a convicted felon, is not supposed to legally possess a gun, according to Orleans Parish prosecutors. He was on parole the day of the shooting. 

Leavell told police he had been visiting friends and his nephew at a corner store near Desire Street and Claiborne Avenue. According to the police report, Leavell said a group pulled up in an SUV, pointing guns at his nephew. 

Leavell told police he fired his weapon to protect his nephew.

Calvin Stewart, who owns the corner store near where the shooting took place, told WVUE in New Orleans the altercation sounded like pure chaos. 

“I mean, shots everywhere ... 60, 70 shots, gunshots. And I’m (lying in) my truck,” Stewart said. “I’m scared to move.”

Sam Hart, Garcia’s girlfriend, said the Marine Corps veteran was driving to her place when he was shot to death.  

“It’s 5:00 in the afternoon. He was driving from his house to my house. He was coming to me,” Hart said.

Marine Who Put Others First 

Hart described Garcia as a kind soul who spread love and joy to everyone around him. In his free time, he enjoyed boiling crawfish, spending time with friends and being a devoted father to his child. 

Hart is struggling to comprehend what happened on Tuesday. 

“How does a Marine serve more than 20 years and survive it, to live his life here with his family, and then he’s driving from his house to his partner’s house and that’s how he gets shot in the head?” Hart said. “How does that make any sense?”

Hart said every day with Garcia was like an exciting adventure.  

“It’s just the best day ever ... every single day with Michael,” Hart said.

Struggling to come to terms with her heartbreaking loss, Hart implored New Orleans to improve. 

“We need to help the people that live here,” Hart said. “They need health care. They need help. Michael wanted them to have help, so we need to.”

For Hart, the violent death of a man who loved his neighbors in his community, is like a slap in the face.  

“Live like Michael, and check on each other and take care of each other, and let go of the things that don’t matter. And say how you feel and just love each other,” Hart said.

Beer Lover with the ‘Golden Heart’ 

Besides being a father, partner and generous neighbor, Garcia had another passion – craft beer. 

He was employed at local Care Forgot Beercraft. Brewery staff were crushed upon learning of Garcia’s shocking death and closed the business on Wednesday to mourn. 

In on tribute on social media, Care Forgot Beercraft said Garcia was known for giving great hugs and carried the “biggest golden heart.” 

“He was an incredible loving father and accomplished military vet,” the post said. “He retired from service and chose to bartend, because he loved our craft beer community in New Orleans. He made the best costumes for Mardi Gras; he created communities around him wherever he went. There will never be another like him.” 

Often thinking about his community, Garcia had planned to speak before the New Orleans City Council on Thursday to raise awareness of brewery employees finding patrons overdosing on substances, Hart said.