Francisco Guadalupe Garcia, 21

Francisco Guadalupe Garcia, a 21-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 9, in the 13200 block of Dronfield Avenue in Sylmar, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly before 2 a.m., Garcia was leaving a party and standing on the sidewalk with other people when two cars stopped, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

A Latino man got out of a dark-colored SUV, smashed a beer bottle on the ground and yelled at Garcia. The man then walked to a white sedan that was behind the SUV, got a gun and began shooting, police said.

Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:30 a.m., according to coroner’s records.

Authorities said Garcia was shot over a "simmering dispute." Police initially said Garcia was an Army veteran who had recently returned from Afghanistan; but a military official confirmed that Garcia never served overseas.

Garcia was discharged from the U.S. Army in July. He enlisted in June 2012 and worked as a cannon crew member at Ft. Drum.

Vincent Anthony Estrada was arrested on suspicion of murder two days later. Estrada, an 18-year-old Latino, was charged with one count of murder, attempted murder and discharge of a firearm, according to the L.A. County district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors also allege that the offenses were committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang. Estrada pleaded not guilty Nov. 13 and is due in court Dec. 18.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Det. Efren Gutierrez at (818) 838-9948. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times Staff