Romario Garcia in photos posted on his Facebook page on June 20, 2023, (left) and June 20, 2024 (right).
Person of interest who shot co-worker has also died from self-inflicted gunshot wound, not yet ID’d
By Allen D. Payton
On Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, Richmond Police Chief of Staff and Public Information Officer Lt. Donald Patchin reported that the victim in the homicide on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, “has been identified as Romario Rayo Garcia.”
Family members shared the name of the victim with KTVU-FOX2 which reported on Friday his age as 31 years old, and also reported the death of the 44-year-old male person of interest in the case. The two were coworkers at the I-HOP Restaurant in Richmond where the shooting occurred.
The following day, Dec. 30, as previously reported, while addressing an unrelated call for service in the parking lot of the San Pablo Police Department, SPPD officers were approached by an adult male subject – the person of interest in the Richmond shooting – who attempted to make contact with officers. Due to a language barrier, communication was limited. Following a brief interaction, the male subject walked away, and the officer resumed addressing the original call for service.
Shortly thereafter, officers heard a single gunshot near the Police Department parking lot. Officers immediately responded and located the male subject suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers rendered life-saving aid, and the male was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
However, Patchin added, “The suspect has not been identified. I am waiting for confirmation that next of kin has been notified from Alameda County.”
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
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