by the El Reportero’s news services
Matt García, the slain City of Fairfield Council member. He was the youngest elected official in California. (photo courtesy of Web Shots)
Two people were arrested in the killing of Fairfield City Councilman Matt García, according to a news report.
Gene Allen Combs 45, of Suisun City, and Nicole Stewart of Fairfield 33, were arrested early Saturday. Police are still searching for a third suspect, Henry Don Williams, a 32-year-old convicted felon.
The two suspects were booked at Solano County Jail on suspicion of murder, conspiracy and use of a firearm. However, police declined to discuss a motive for the slaying or say whether García knew the suspects.
The 22-year-old councilman was fatally shot on Sept. 1 as he stepped out of his car outside a friend’s home in Cordelia. García, a city Councilman considered the youngest elected official in the state, was cut short last week when he was shot, in a tragedy still shrouded in mystery.
According to information given to the police, García had gone to visit a friend, 18-year-old Jennifer Tarbell, and it was while chatting with her, standing near a black Cadillac, that he was shot several times. The bullets struck him in the head. The suspect, described to the police as a Hispanic man with brown skin around 20 years old, escaped in a medium-sized, older-model sedan.
Matt García
For four days, García’s was kept alive with the help of a respirator at the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, but his family asked to disconnect him on Friday, Sept. 5. Ron Marlette, spokesperson for the family, said that García’s organs would be donated, as that had been his wishes.
“He wanted to give life even in death,” Marlette said.
Kathyrn Scarrot, Fairfield Police offi cer, said that more than 90 officers from diverse agencies, including the Oakland Police, were collaborating in the investigation.
Governor Schwarzenegger announced a reward of $50,000 for anyone with information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murder.
García had been elected to the City Council in November 2007, and was hoping to become mayor of Fairfield, where he was born and raised. For this reason, during a vigil which brought hundreds of friends to Fairfield in honor of García’s memory, he was named honorary mayor by the current mayor, Harry Price. In addition, a youth center that opened its doors this year was named after García in recognition of the support that he gave to children.
Matt García doing political campaign in Fairfield, Calif.
During his campaign for councilman, according to his electoral platform, García wanted to make Fairfield a safer place to live, work, shop and eat. “The main problem that Fairfield confronts is crime, and this is mainly related to our youth,” he stated.
The Hispanic councilman gave great support to his community. He was member of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, administrator of the adult Softball League, and many other community activities.
Leaders of a Latino legislative group, the Assemblymen Joe Coto (D- San Jose) and Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) have denounced the assassination of García.
Friends and family plan to create a charity in García’s name. Donations to the Matt García Memorial Fund will be accepted at First Bank at 2407 Waterman Blvd. in Fairfield.
