Parrish, Florida – A man in Parrish, Florida, has pleaded no contest to charges related to a cold case murder in Palmetto dating back to 2014, according to court records in Manatee County. Ricardo Garcia, 31, opted for a plea deal of manslaughter with a weapon, a first-degree felony carrying a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
The incident occurred more than a decade ago when Garcia, in an act of retaliation following a nightclub altercation, mistakenly shot and killed 26-year-old Javare Thomas at an intersection in Palmetto. The tragic event had left detectives puzzled for over seven years until Garcia was eventually identified as a suspect and arrested by the Palmetto Police Department in April 2021.
According to police reports, the altercation stemmed from a fight between Garcia and another individual at a Palmetto nightclub. Subsequently, Garcia mistakenly targeted Thomas while trying to track down the person with whom he had the initial conflict. The shooting took place as both vehicles turned onto Haben Boulevard, leading to Thomas getting fatally shot in the head.
The victim’s mother, Tonya Thomas, expressed profound grief over the loss, emphasizing the impact on their family and the community. Despite initial difficulties in solving the case, Garcia came under scrutiny after witnesses described a vehicle matching his father’s truck during a previous encounter with law enforcement.
Further investigations pointed to potential efforts by Garcia’s family to cover up the crime, including replacing the mirror on the vehicle involved in the shooting. Surveillance footage and witness testimonies corroborated the events leading up to the fatal incident, eventually culminating in Garcia facing charges for Thomas’ murder.
After turning himself in following a search by law enforcement agencies, Garcia awaits a sentencing hearing yet to be scheduled as the legal proceedings unfold. The resolution of this long-standing case serves as a reminder of the profound impact of crimes on families and communities, highlighting the combined efforts of law enforcement in seeking justice for victims of such tragic events.