Completely Off-topic Note About Senseless Tragedy

by Ziller on Sep 2, 2008 12:05 PM PDT

This is in no way Kings-related.

Matt Garcia, a 22-year-old city councilman in Fairfield, was shot in the head last night. He's in critical condition at John Muir.

I worked with Matt a few years ago at a chain restaurant. He's a terrific kid. You sort-of have to be if you make a run at city council at age 21. He was a really smart cat, quick and eager to learn, a hard-worker. Fairfield's a tough town, fairly gang-ridden and full of bad neighborhoods, drugs and broken dreams. Matt saw that stuff and didn't want to accept it. Most of us who wanted better streets around us moved to the better streets -- usually in other towns. Matt wouldn't let the bad guys win.

It's depressing how rarely good kids take an interest in fixing the problems of the world. When that does happen, and something like this happens? It's almost unbearable.

All our thoughts and prayers with Matt, and all the innocent souls claimed by forces of evil.

UPDATE: Matt has been declared brain-dead, according to a Vacaville newspaper. He will disconnected from life support later today. Godspeed, Matt.

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Rest in Peace

It’s depressing how rarely good kids take an interest in fixing the problems of the world. When that does happen, and something like this happens? It’s almost unbearable.

Amen, brother.

Kevin Pritchard has Chuck Norris tied up in the trunk of his car.

by otis29 on Sep 2, 2008 12:49 PM PDT 0 recs

R.I.P.

I was going to make a joke about Kevin Martin’s ranking at SLAM being a senseless tragedy, but that is a really tough story to read.

Hopefully young people around the state read about this astonishing young man and he can continue to influence others.

There now I've met the 75 word count. -pookeyguru

by moproblemz on Sep 2, 2008 1:38 PM PDT 0 recs

I’m so sorry for your loss. For everyone’s loss.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Sep 2, 2008 2:40 PM PDT 0 recs

Really, really depressing. Lets hope this tragedy gets the coverage it deserves, and something positive comes out of this tragedy.

AK47, SN13, B52, and K9. One guns, Another runs, He fits, while it licks.

by CAB on Sep 2, 2008 2:55 PM PDT 0 recs

Very sorry to hear it

Matt had already accomplished a lot more than most people twice his age. His family and friends have a lot to be proud of. I grew up in Vallejo and am very sorry to hear that the problems in that city have apparently migrated to Fairfield as well. My condolences to his friends and family.

by Carl on Sep 2, 2008 3:04 PM PDT 0 recs

...

How absolutely heartbreaking. I am so sorry for the loss of this promising young man. Hearing this type of heinous act makes me completely disgusted…how does this happen? It also puts things in perspective, just how truly delicate life is, and why I appreciate the superficial, yet vacation of sports. It’s the perfect way to escape from the harsh reality of life sometimes.

RIP Matt Garcia, I didn’t know you, yet I will very much miss you.
God Bless you and your family.

by mr mark on Sep 2, 2008 3:28 PM PDT 0 recs

Continue

Far too often it is the greatest of people who see their days end too quickly. And though we may grieve his suffering, we too suffer from losing such a rare and giving soul. At a time like this when we are speaking politics and presidents, let us mourn and respect local persons of influence that may have equally as powerful effects on our lives and others. God be with him and his family and let us take this as an opportunity to remind ourselves to never take a day, a person, an interaction for granted, as we truly cannot know what lay in our future.

by PissedOffGorilla on Sep 2, 2008 8:30 PM PDT 0 recs

RIP, Matt Garcia.

Tragic. I have no other words even though I’ve shed many tears while following the news of this young man’s life and death.

I can only hope that the city of Fairfield is so angered by this loss of life that the law abiding citizens of Fairfield rise up in a civilized manner and inspire the rest of this state to do the same.

I am not advocating vigilante justice, but I am sick to near death of what is happening to this beautiful state.

I don’t claim to have any answers as to how we can cure these problems but I’d surely join a bandwagon for anyone who can come up with reasonable responses.

Needless to say, that excludes most, if not all, politicians so-called solutions.

Sometimes real life interferes with real fandom, darn it!

by KK on Sep 2, 2008 10:47 PM PDT 0 recs

Tragic!!

Matt was such an inspiration to so many people – especially the youth. Matt coached Little League baseball for my son, and he was awesome! I was his scorekeeper. I couldn’t have been more impressed with this young man’s drive and determination to do more for his community. I ran into Matt just after his winning the election for City Councilman – he was so proud!!! I felt honored to know such a driven and determined young man. Matt’s tragic and senseless death will be a tremendous loss to the entire community. My heart goes out to his family and those closest to him. God Bless!!!!!

by Ms.Deb on Sep 3, 2008 12:13 AM PDT 0 recs

Tragic is the exact word

A young person dying for no reason, as it seems so far, is always senseless. It’s double the fun when a young man like Matt Garcia wanted to help improve the community he lived in.

Death is unfortunate, and that doesn’t begin to remotely describe this particular tragedy.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Sep 4, 2008 3:03 PM PDT 0 recs