Fairfield official dies 4 days after being shot

FAIRFIELD — A Fairfield councilman who was declared brain dead after being shot in the head four days ago was taken off life support Friday morning.

Matt Garcia, 22, died around 6 a.m., said a nursing supervisor at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. His body was taken to the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office, where an autopsy would be conducted later Friday, Deputy Coroner Robert Duvall said.

Meanwhile, police continued searching for the gunman, who fired multiple shots at Garcia while he was talking in a friend’s driveway Monday night. His family kept him on life support for several days to donate his organs.

The unindentified suspect is described as a man in his late teens or early 20s who left the scene in a mid-90s, American model sedan. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Garcia’s killer.

One of the youngest elected officials in California, Garcia was just 21 when he was sworn in 10 months ago. He campaigned on the slogan, “Change For Fairfield,” vowing to focus on crime prevention, economic development, community growth and keeping Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield.

At a prayer service Thursday night, hundreds gathered in one of many tributes to the young politician. Garcia’s parents attended the service, but requested privacy.

“He loved this town and wanted to make it safer and a better place,” said Anita Andrade, who attended the service.

A viewing was scheduled for Monday evening and a memorial for Tuesday afternoon at Armijo High School, his alma mater.