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SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake City man was sentenced to three years to life in prison on Monday for shooting his wife.
Christopher Benjamin Garcia, 62, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, a first-degree felony, in January and was sentenced by 3rd District Judge James Gardner.
On July 15, 2023, Garcia's wife reported to police her husband had shot her after they responded to her 911 call to 125 W. Lucy Ave (1200 South). She had gunshot wounds on her left arm, left leg and face, according to charging documents.
Garcia told officers at the time that he had "been at war" with his wife, and that he was tired of the way he was being treated, according to the charges. Charging documents said he expressed being glad it happened the way it did and had been contemplating killing her for about six months.
A press release from the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office said Garcia followed his wife to the attic and shot her five times, and told officers he would have done it again.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill encouraged those experiencing domestic violence to look for resources and those who notice signs of domestic violence to report it to law enforcement.
"We all have a responsibility as friends, family, and community members to look out for the well-being of others. ... There is no room for family violence in our community," he said.
The wife's family was involved in the resolution of the case, Gill said. Under a plea deal, five charges of felony discharge of a firearm — three first-degree felonies and two third-degree felonies — were dismissed.
Garcia's son, Niko Thomas Garcia, 34, who had been drinking with him, tried to convince his father not to shoot his wife and had the gun when the officers arrived, according to court documents.
He was also arrested and charged with assault by a prisoner, a third-degree felony; interference with an officer and lewdness, class B misdemeanors; and intoxication, a class C misdemeanor. Niko Garcia's case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 29.
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
