Taco Bell employee fatally shot in California after dispute over $20 counterfeit bill: report

A Taco Bell employee was killed in Los Angeles while working in the drive-through after a dispute with a customer over what he believed was a counterfeit bill.

On Jan. 8 shortly before 11 p.m., 41-year-old Alejandro Garcia was shot in the torso and died while working the nightshift at the fast-food restaurant with his 19-year-old son, the LAPD said.

Relatives of the victim told KABC-TV that the incident started when Garcia allegedly refused to let a man with what appeared to be a fake $20 bill.

“I guess they got upset and they just started shooting,” Garcia's cousin, Nancy Garcia del Sol, told the station. “My nephew was close by so he closed the window but the shots ... they went in. [Garcia] got shot in the heart, and that's what killed him ... in front of his son's presence.”

Garcia died instantly, according to a GoFundMe set up by a family member.

“He has three kids,” said another cousin, Karina Garcia De Meza, according to KNBC. “The youngest one is five years old. And this morning, she walks around with a picture of him because he never came home.”

In a statement to KABC-TV, Taco Bell representatives said they were “shocked and saddened” to hear about the shooting.

“We understand the owner and operator of this location is working with the local authorities in their investigation and has reached out directly to the affected family to offer support,” the company said.

Police are still searching for the murder suspect, who is believed to be between the ages of 20 and 25.

“I want justice for the family, I want justice for everybody in the community, so these people won’t be out there killing people simply doing their job,” Garcia De Meza said.