A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City indicted Angelo Mark Garcia, 40, on April 1 for allegedly possessing a firearm as a restricted person following a shooting outside a downtown bar where two people were shot.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address violent crime and enforce firearm restrictions for convicted felons. Authorities say that individuals with prior felony convictions are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.
According to court documents, officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department responded to reports of gunfire outside a downtown bar at approximately 1:15 a.m. on March 14. Upon arrival, they found one victim with a gunshot wound. Minutes later, Utah Highway Patrol stopped Garcia in an SUV near 400 South State Street due to a traffic violation and observed red-brown stains on his and his passenger’s clothing. A preliminary search revealed a firearm under the front passenger seat, which was later identified as a Glock 19 9mm semi-automatic pistol after detectives obtained a search warrant. Multiple shell casings were recovered at the scene, and video evidence allegedly shows Garcia firing into the air before directing rounds toward several people. Investigators learned that another individual had also been shot during the incident.
Garcia faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. His initial court appearance is scheduled for April 3 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak announced the indictment. The investigation is being conducted by both the Patrol Division and Gang Unit of the Salt Lake City Police Department with assistance from Utah Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Victoria K. McFarland will prosecute the case.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
Officials remind that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
