Man shot and killed at party in Visalia, deputies say

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A party in Visalia came to a violent end on Saturday night after shots rang out.

Tulare County Sheriff's deputies say it happened just before 10 pm on Road 148 near Avenue 320 and 313, between Visalia and Ivanhoe.

Deputies say 22-year-old Richard Garcia was shot twice in the chest during an argument at a house party on Road 148.

He was taken to the hospital, where he died.

"Our investigators are going out and interviewing as many witnesses as they can, and they are really relying on those interviews to try and figure out what happened, how the shooting occurred," said Ashley Ritchie with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.

Action News legal analyst Tony Capozzi says witness testimony is key in an investigation like this.

"We need to get the interviews with the people who witnessed what happened and the person who did the shooting. The evidence that comes out will make a determination on whether or not charges will be filed," said Capozzi.

Garcia's girlfriend tells Action News that he was the life of the party, enjoyed making people laugh, and loved his family.

He had just become a father to a baby girl four months ago.

Anyone with information should contact the sheriff's office.

A GoFundMe has been started for the family.

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