LOS ANGELES >> A Montebello man accused of chasing down and fatally shooting another man while trying to rob him of a gold necklace appeared in court Thursday, where prosecutors charged him with capital murder, authorities said.
Sean Matthew Garcia, 25, is charged with murder, with the special circumstance that the killing was committed during the course of an attempted robbery, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Greg Risling said. He’s also accused of personally firing the AR-15-style rifle that killed Brian Gomez, 28, of Lynwood.
Gomez was trying to sell a gold necklace for about $2,000 when Gomez answered an online add and arranged to meet in the 1600 block of Neil Armstrong Street Monday afternoon, Montebello police and district attorney’s official said.
Montebello Police Chief Kevin McClure described the attack as an “ambush.”
After the men met, Garcia pulled an assault rifle from a nearby bush and firing toward Gomez’s feet, Risling said. Gomez ran.
“When Gomez stopped and reached into his pocket to get the necklace, Garcia allegedly shot and killed the victim,” Risling said.
In addition to the slaying, Gomez is also charged with the robbery of an assault rifle in August, Risling said. Further details on that case were unavailable, and it was unclear if the allegedly stolen rifle was the same one used in Monday’s fatal shooting.
Because of the special circumstance alleged in the case, Garcia could potentially end up on death row if convicted as charged.
“Prosecutors will determine at a later date whether to seek capital punishment,” Risling said.
Garcia entered no plea Monday. His arraignment hearing was postponed to Oct. 22.
PHOTOS: [ABOVE] – Sean Garcia, 25, of Montbello (Courtesy) [BELOW] – Brian Gomez, 28, of Lynwood. (Courtesy)