Parole Denied in 2006 Tulare Gang Shooting

On June 3, 2026, a California parole board issued a three-year denial of parole for Manuel Garza, age 38. Garza has been incarcerated since 2007 for the shooting of a man in Tulare. He is currently serving his sentence at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga.

At about 8 pm on April 30, 2006, Tulare Police Department officers were dispatched to reports of a shooting in front of a residence. There they found the victim, and adult male, suffering from a gunshot to the eye.

Through investigation and witness accounts, officers learned that the victim and Garza, a gang member, encountered each other at Cypress Park. The encounter left Garza feeling “disrespected.” Later, Garza was driven to the victim’s home where the two continued to argue. It was then that Garza drew a handgun and shot at the victim three times, striking him in the eye before fleeing. The victim survived. Garza fled and was apprehended on May 9.

In early 2007, Garza pleaded no contest to felony mayhem with the special allegations of personal use of a firearm and street terrorism. The court sentenced him to 38 years in prison.

Garza has been eligible for parole since 2020. While in prison, Garza has demonstrated a lack of self-control when provoked, including battery on another inmate, and was reprimanded for substance abuse.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494