Suspect arrested after Taco Bell drive-thru employee fatally shot in South LA
SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An arrest has been made in the killing of a 41-year-old man who was gunned down while working with his son at a Taco Bell drive-thru in South Los Angeles, LAPD Chief Michel Moore announced Tuesday evening.
Moore said at a vigil held for the victim that a suspect was in custody. Police say officers arrested 39-year-old Jonathan Madden at his home in South L.A. Monday in connection with the fatal shooting.
Alejandro Garcia was working with his 19-year-old son at the fast-food restaurant near the intersection of Century and Avalon boulevards Saturday night when he was shot and killed.
Investigators said the shooting stemmed from an argument that started when Garcia's son allegedly refused to accept what appeared to be a counterfeit $20 bill from a customer at the drive-thru.
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Family members say Garcia, a father of three, worked at the restaurant one night a week to earn extra money for his family. They say Garcia always put his family first and was known for helping others.
"We're just heartbroken. There's no words to describe how much pain we're in at this moment because we lost someone that we loved and cared for, and it was just for money, for food, for $20!" an emotional family member said at the vigil held at the Taco Bell restaurant where Garcia was killed.
A GoFundMe for Garcia and his family has since been created. It has collected more than $84,000 in donations as of Tuesday evening.
Madden is being held on $2 million bail.
