Cops Say Shy Guy Turns Violent

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Cops say Garcia shot 18-year-old Mario Gonzalez to death.

The Laredo, Texas kids who grew up with Joseph Allen Garcia don't have much to say about him: Garcia was not very outgoing -- some would even say he was shy -- and has been described as a loner. His character would make him the target of jokes and name-calling.

Cops say on December 13, 2003, Garcia snapped. And to prove that he was a "real man," he convinced two friends to go with him to fight with another kid.

Garcia pulled into the driveway of a house and four kids stepped out. That's when cops say Garcia surprised everyone. Back in the truck Garcia, had been hiding an AK-47 rifle. Cops say Garcia sprayed bullets at the teens, wounding three of the kids and killing 18-year-old Mario Gonzalez.

Cops: Garcia Didn't Learn

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Cops arrested Garcia after they say he tried to kill another kid over stereo speakers.

Cops arrested Joseph Allen Garcia a day after the murder, but Garcia was granted bond right before Christmas 2003.

But the days he was in jail were not enough to teach him a lesson and cops say in August 2004, Garcia got back to his Billy the Kid ways.

According to cops Garcia had gotten into an argument with another kid over speakers for a car and went to look for him. This time, he was armed. Cops say his target was wounded, but survived. Garcia was charged with attempted murder and arrested, but he bailed out again.

In December of the same year, Garcia was arrested for the third time for possession of drugs, but was released soon after. Cops say that when it was time to bring Garcia before the judge in March 2005, Garcia never showed up. 

More Than Just A Punk

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In February 2006, cops went to look for Garcia, but instead, they found nearly a ton of dope.

When U.S. Marshals in Laredo went to look for Garcia in February 2006, they came across a house just two doors down from his father's home. And even though Garcia was not there at the time, cops found 1,600 lbs. of marijuana, and confirmed Garcia had been there just two nights before.

Since that day, Marshals suspected Garcia was not only a kid running loose with a rifle: instead, they feared Garcia had aligned himself with drug cartels across the border to make a name for himself. 

The Marshals have constantly received information connecting Garcia with the Zetas, the main enforcers for the Mexican Gulf Cartel. And they now know that if they are going after him, they need to be prepared. 

U.S. Marshals in Laredo invited America's Most Wanted to ride along with them in one of their searches and have confirmed Garcia shows up in Laredo quite often, but they haven't been able to find him and are hoping AMW viewers will lead them to this wanted man.

Garcia Added To Marshals' 15 Most Wanted List

On Nov. 24, 2008, U.S. Marshals in Laredo notified America's Most Wanted that they've upgraded Joseph Allen Garcia from a Marshals Major Case to their 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Garcia was only 21 years old, but has learned very well how to elude law enforcement. He's been on the run for almost four years.

"Garcia has displayed a propensity for violence and continues to live a life of crime. Capturing him is one of our highest priorities," said U.S.M.S. Director John F. Clark.

The Marshals have learned that Garcia also goes by the name Joseph Garza and that he is a suspected member of the Zetas.