A 28-year-old man in Kentucky has been arrested after allegedly shooting his girlfriend’s ex-husband in a restaurant in Louisville. The incident reportedly occurred when the two men “coincidentally” crossed paths at the eatery, leading to a violent confrontation.
The Shooting Incident
Carlos Garcia-Romero, 28, was arrested over the weekend and faces multiple serious charges, including second-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment. He is also charged with discharging a firearm across a public road, carrying a concealed weapon, and fleeing from police.
The shooting took place at a restaurant on the 5200 block of New Cut Road near Iroquois Park in Louisville. Officers responded to a report of the incident on Sunday evening and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his left leg.
The victim, whose identity was not released, was rushed to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment.
Victim’s Account of the Incident
At the hospital, the victim identified the shooter as “Carlos Garcia” and confirmed that Garcia-Romero was his ex-wife’s boyfriend.
He explained to investigators that the shooting happened after he and Garcia-Romero ran into each other at the restaurant by coincidence. According to the victim, the two men briefly interacted before the shooting occurred.
Authorities later confirmed that the victim and Garcia-Romero’s girlfriend share a child together, adding some context to the tense situation.
Garcia-Romero’s Statement to Police
When questioned by police, Garcia-Romero admitted to seeing the victim at the restaurant. He reportedly told officers that he pointed a gun at the victim to intimidate him but did not intend to shoot him. Garcia-Romero claimed that the gun “accidentally went off” while he was aiming it at the victim.
After the shooting, Garcia-Romero allegedly disposed of the weapon by throwing it into a dumpster at a nearby gas station.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Garcia-Romero is currently being held in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections on a $50,000 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for August 12. The victim, though injured, is expected to recover from his non-life-threatening wounds.
This incident highlights the danger of escalating conflicts, even in seemingly random encounters. Garcia-Romero’s actions have led to multiple felony charges, and the case will be closely watched as it proceeds through the legal system.
