Matt Garcia was a 22-year-old Fairfield, California, city councilman when he was shot and killed on September 1, 2008. Elected at 21, he had gained a reputation for enthusiasm and dedication to his community. On the night he died Garcia was visiting a friend in the Cordelia neighborhood when someone opened fire; he was struck in the back of the head by a single fatal bullet.

Investigators concluded the shooting was a case of mistaken identity. The attackers, Gene Combs and Henry Don Williams, were aiming for a local drug dealer named Ryan Estes; Nicole Stewart was driving. Combs contacted police and that led to Williams being located. Both men were arrested and charged. Williams was later convicted of first-degree murder and given 50 years to life; Combs was convicted of second-degree murder and received 15 years to life. Stewart was not charged in the killing and testified against the two men.

Garcia’s family, especially his mother Teresa Courtemanche, became involved in restorative justice work after his death and the family established the Matt Garcia Foundation to continue his community service and youth programs. Does anyone have memories of Garcia or information about his work in Fairfield?