David Garcia, 38, was taken into custody in Lubbock following an eight-hour standoff with SWAT.
The Lubbock Police Department reported that after the communications center received a report about an armed man who was threatening self-harm, officers responded to the location where Garcia discharged a gun multiple times in the direction of officer; chemical gas was deployed into the house.
Garcia was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated assault of a police officer.
According to LPD, the incident was prompted after officers were called to Covenant Women and Children’s Hospital on Thursday regarding the death of a 2-monthold baby; Garcia was named as a suspect in the case.
Relating to the death of the baby, court documents stated the mother of the baby told police that Garcia called her around 5:45 a.m. Thursday morning and said the child was “not responding” and hung up the phone. The mother told Garcia to start CPR and call 911, but he took the child to the hospital.
Witnesses who were at the home at the time of the incident told authorities that Garcia said he “rolled over on top” of the baby while he was sleeping on the couch. Another witness told police that Garcia texted at one point and asked if he could go to her home.
According to court records, the woman told detectives that Garcia was “covered in sweat and acting as though he just ran to the home.” She also stated that Garcia had a gun, and when she asked about his nervous behavior, he responded, “They’re after me. I need to be ready for them.”
Records stated that Garcia told the woman the baby was at his house. The woman told police Garcia stayed at her home for about 20 minutes and left.
Court records said Garcia texted someone on Friday and said, “Sorry about the baby. The baby’s death was an accident,” also that he didn’t mean to do it and planned to return home and commit suicide.
Court documents stated a medical exam revealed the baby had healing fractures on his ribs, wrist and ankle. The child had bruises on his chest and bleeding around his brain, with records stating, “These findings present substantial evidence of physical abuse … this was not the first time the child was injured.”
Investigators determined the baby was in Garcia’s care on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night. The child’s mother told police she did not observe any injuries on the baby earlier in the week.
As of Monday, Garcia remained in the Lubbock County Detention Center on bonds totaling $900,000.