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Nathan Garza: Shattered parents of Safeway staff, 18, who was shot dead in California slam 'senseless' killing

'We waited for him for a long time. He was the youngest of six older sisters. He was our only boy and he filled the room, he filled our lives,' said the mother

The devastated and emotionally shattered parents and siblings of Nathan Gabriel Garza, 18, have now spoken out on his death. The family is holding onto their last memories of him. The teenager was fatally shot while he was working at an American Canyon Safeway on Sunday, August 16. According to a Napa County Sheriff's spokesman, Nathan was shot on Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of the Safeway, spokesman Henry Wofford said, SFGate reports. 

Nathan's mother, Tracy Garza, said, "I didn't get to speak to him, see him, hold him or hug him in for a while. Now I can't," ABC reveals. "We waited for him for a long time. He was the youngest of six older sisters. He was our only boy and he filled the room, he filled our lives." 

Tracy described him as her miracle child. When Nathan was working at the Safeway, a suspect had driven up, shot him, and then fled from the scene. A 911 call stated, "We are getting multiple calls, three shots heard in the parking lot. There is a subject down on the ground."

Nathan's coworkers revealed that Nathan had just been doing his job and was delivering groceries in the parking lot. "There is nothing that can explain what happened or justify it. It was senseless," Tracy said. 

Within 24 hours of the shooting, the authorities nabbed Christopher 'Roly' Young, 23, who was arrested and then charged with murder. Nathan's father, Gabriel Garza, said, "I want to thank the Napa Police Department. I want to give them my love. They don't get a lot of thanks right now during these times but they deserve more than what they are getting."

The Napa County Sheriff's Office had taken to Twitter to announce that they had identified and arrested Young. The post read, "Arrest Made In Fatal Shooting at American Canyon Safeway. 23-year-old Christopher "Roly" Young, from Martinez, has been arrested and charged with murder. Nathan Gabriel Garza, 18 years old from Fairfield, was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. Nathan was a Safeway employee."

Many social media users commented on the news of Nathan's death and offered their condolences. One such social media user had written, "So sorry my condolences My heart breaks for you family your son was beautiful you (sic) he Rest In Peace with angels all around him."

Another social media user added, " As a parent of a Rodriguez High Class of 2020 graduate, the tragic news of Nathan’s passing hit close to home. My heart breaks for Nathan’s family, most especially his Mom. He had a bright future ahead of him and his life was cut short by this senseless act."

"Praying for his loved ones. I’m 18 just trying to make an honest living and I can’t imagine having my life robbed for doing a job. Rest In Peace," shared an upset Twitter user. 

Yet another user commented and said, "Breaks my heart; what a horrible loss. My heartfelt sympathy to the parents; I cannot even imagine the pain. My son knew this young man and he like all the young ones who knew Nathan are struggling to understand how a peer could lose his life so senselessly."