Suspect attempts to flee Lemoore police and Kings Task Force by jumping into river

 The Lemoore Police Department arrived on Blake Street looking for a male suspect shooting at the vehicle. Patrol officers located a shell casing and a car with bullet holes.

The investigation was turned over to Lemoore Police Investigations Unit, and officers located video footage that showed the suspect, later identified as Abel Garnica, shooting at an unoccupied vehicle. 

On June 24, the Lemoore Police Department and the Kings County Major Crimes Task Force found the suspect, Garnica, at Laton’s Kingston Park.  Garnica was considered armed and dangerous, and when officers attempted to make contact, he ran from officers and appeared to have something in his hand. He proceeded to jump into the Kings River.

Officers arrested Garnica with the assistance of a Kings County Sheriff’s Department K-9. Two deputies sustained minor injuries during the incident. The Kings County Sheriff’s Office Water Rescue Unit found the item that Garnica discarded when he jumped in the river. The firearm used in the crime was not recovered.

Garnica sustained injuries to his arm and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.   The suspect was booked into the Kings County Jail on a variety of charges.