Shooting victim was father of Pharr investigator

PHARR - A man shot to death during an attempted robbery in San Juan was the father of a Pharr police investigator, authorities said.

Juan Garza, 63, was killed Wednesday night at his propane supply business near the intersection of Cesar Chavez Road and Farm-to-Market Road 495.

"He was the life of the party, a real jokester," said his son Danny Garza, an investigator with the Pharr Police Department. "He liked nothing more than to drink coffee with his compadres in the morning. He lived for life."

Danny Garza was by his father's side briefly at McAllen Medical Center on Wednesday night before joining dozens of fellow law enforcement officers in an exhaustive search for the shooter.

Investigator Rolando Garcia of the San Juan Police Department, which aided in the search, said the man approached Juan Garza about 8 p.m. Wednesday at his business, Amigo Propane, and asked him to fill his gas tank. The would-be customer then asked him for money and shot him, police said.

Juan Garza was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and died there a few hours later.

Danny Garza said his family is coping with his father's loss thanks to support from the community.

"He was a good guy," said Ruben Garcia Jr., who had been Juan Garza's neighbor for 15 years. "Why does this happen to good people?"

Juan Garza was known among local police departments for his generosity, often donating money to fund special projects and dropping off toys during giveaways for children.

"Everyone's shocked," Investigator Garcia said, describing the mood at the San Juan Police Department. "(The shooting) was just so close to home."

The department had just ordered a plaque that officers planned to present to Juan Garza during their office Christmas party - a token of appreciation for his support of the department.

"I'm glad so many people are turning their attention to him," Danny Garza said. "He passed away on good terms with everyone ... He had no quarrels with anyone."

Authorities continue to try to identify a suspect in the shooting. As of Thursday evening, police had received only a few tips and investigators had made little progress finding the gunman. A juvenile was questioned late Wednesday evening but was later released, Investigator Garcia said.

The shooter, believed to be in his mid-20s, is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall with a slim build and was last seen wearing a white shirt and jeans. He was last seen running into some orchards near the propane business, and authorities believe he had been driving a dark Toyota Camry.

Investigator Garcia said witnesses heard two gunshots, which was later corroborated when authorities found two casings for a .380-caliber pistol.
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Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact authorities at 956-207-8477.