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SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man who allegedly told police that he was tired of the way he was being treated by his wife is accused of shooting her multiple times, including at least once in the face.
Christopher Benjamin Garcia, 62, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with attempted murder and four counts of shooting a gun causing serious injury, first-degree felonies; and shooting in the direction of a person, a third-degree felony.
Salt Lake City police were called just before midnight on July 14 to 125 W. Lucy Ave. on a report of a possible domestic violence-related shooting. Officers arrived to find Garcia and Niko Thomas Garcia, 34, on the front porch.
"I shot my wife. She's upstairs," Christopher Garcia told the officers, according to charging documents.
Police found a 62-year-old woman in the attic. She had multiple gunshot wounds to her left arm, left leg and face above her lip, the charges state.
While being taken to the Salt Lake City Police Department for questioning, Garcia allegedly said "he was tired of the way he was being treated by his wife. Chris said he knew 'it was coming to this' and that he was glad it happened the way it did. Chris further stated that he doesn't have to worry about her anymore and she can't put the 'fear of God' in him anymore. Chris said he had 'been at war' and it was with his wife," the charges state.
He also allegedly claimed he had been contemplating killing his wife for six months, court documents state. When asked by detectives if he had remorse for allegedly shooting his wife, police said Garcia replied, "No, no I don't. I would have did it again. I knew I was going to do it."
He claimed he shot his gun five times, police said.
At the hospital, detectives questioned the wife who told them that after she was shot, Garcia said, "Now we're done," according to the charges.
Niko Garcia was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with assault by a prisoner, a third-degree felony; interference with an officer and lewdness, class B misdemeanors; and intoxication, a class C misdemeanor.
Police say when Niko Garcia and Christopher Garcia were taken in for questioning, they were "clearly intoxicated and agitated, began yelling at each other and getting in each other's faces," charging documents state. "Niko then began challenging officers and trying to goad them into a confrontation."
Niko Garcia continued to kick and yell and had to be restrained, police say. At the Salt Lake County Jail, he continued acting aggressively toward deputies and at one point dropped his pants and urinated on the floor, the charges state.
Domestic violence resources
Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
- YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
- Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
