A patrol supervisor observed a subject (identified as Gavin Guy Garnica of Abbeville) driving a vehicle who was known to have active warrants for four (4) counts of Attempted First Degree Murder by Drive-By Shooting, Illegal Use of Weapons and Possession of Firearms in a Firearm Free Zone on September 3, 2020 at approximately 7:15 p.m. The officer observed the vehicle near Herbert Williams City Park on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
Once assisting officers arrived nearby, a traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle that Mr. Garnica was driving. Mr. Garnica was taken into custody without incident. During a check for weapons on Mr. Garnica, officers located a .38 caliber handgun in a small handbag strapped across his chest. Mr. Garnica also had approximately 140 grams of marijuana in several baggies and seven (7) pieces of suspected LSD.
A search of the vehicle Mr. Garnica was driving was conducted. Officers located a digital scale and a 7.62 caliber mini AK47-style rifle, loaded with thirty-one (31) rounds on the rear floorboard.
In addition to the active warrants, Mr. Garnica was charged with the following charges:
· Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in a Drug Free Zone
· Possession of LSD
· Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute
· Illegal Carrying of Weapons
· Possession of a Firearm in the presence of a CDS (2 counts)
· Possession of a Firearm in a Firearm Free Zone (2 counts)
After being booked at the Abbeville Police Department, Mr. Garnica was transported to the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center.