LOWELL — Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon announced the arrest of Paul Garcia, 38, of Dover, New Hampshire, for his alleged involvement in a shooting that left one dead and two injured on July 20 at the Swaminarayan Temple.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 4:53 a.m. on a Saturday in the temple’s parking lot on Middlesex Street, resulted in Lowell Police finding two men with gunshot wounds among a crowd of about 30 people.
Jose Ortiz, 43, of Lowell, was pronounced dead at a local hospital, while a 34-year-old man was treated and released.
A 26-year-old woman also suffered minor injuries and self-transported to the hospital for treatment.
Investigations suggest that prior to the shooting, two groups had been drinking and setting off fireworks in the parking lot, leading to a physical altercation involving the victims.
Garcia allegedly opened fire into the crowd shortly after the altercation, killing Ortiz and injuring the others before fleeing.
Garcia was arrested without incident at a residence in Lawrence and faces multiple charges including armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
He is expected to be arraigned on an additional count of murder tomorrow in Lowell District Court.
The case remains under investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Lowell Police, and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit.
Prosecutors Christopher Tarrant and Maren Schrader are assigned to the case, with Anne Foley serving as the victim witness advocate.
