Shopping Center Shooting

2 suspects arrested

Ongoing Investigation

            By Officer Joe Baeza

     On November 15, 2008 at approximately 9:10pm Laredo Police Department Communications Division received a shooting call by 5300 block of San Dario, Mall Del Norte Circuit City parking lot.  A second call reported that there was a shooting victim by Mann Road and San Bernardo. That victim was later identified as Jose Jesus Garcia III (18 yrs. old). He was transported to Doctors Hospital by Laredo Fire Department Paramedics suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers tried to catch up to 2 vehicles (a Silver Chrysler 300 & a Black Dodge Pick Up truck) by McPherson/Bustamante. Officers noticed that the Silver Chrysler 300 was occupied by a wounded subject later identified as Gerardo Melendez and was headed to Laredo Medical Center. Officers attempted to stop the Black Dodge pick-up, which stopped, but drove off again, driving east on Bustamante going towards Laredo Medical Center. The occupants of the pick-up truck then tossed out a gun out into a grassy area near the hospital.  The Dodge pick-up then drove into the LMC parking lot and stopped.  The driver was a 16yr old male juvenile and was with other passengers who were all detained. Officers, after checking a grassy area, found a handgun. The juvenile voluntarily admitted to being in possession of the handgun and was charged with unlawful Carrying of weapon C/A & Evading arrest with vehicle (SJF). 

             The Silver Chrysler 300 which had driven into LMC emergency entrance was occupied by a victim Gerardo Melendez, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was then driven to the hospital by his wife. The Silver Chrysler 300 was then impounded and transported to the LPD for evidence processing. 

Upon further investigation it was revealed that Melendez was involved in a verbal dispute with another unknown suspect(s) inside Mall Del Norte. Once outside in the parking lot a fist fight erupted, and then someone started firing a weapon.

            On November 16, 2008 subject Clemente Godina (6-11-91) came to the Laredo Police Dept for questioning. Godina after being made aware of his rights voluntarily admitted to shooting at Melendez. He claimed that he was in possession of a handgun and shot the weapon. The information in the case was relayed to the District Attorney’s office and was approved for a complaint for Aggravated Assault F/2 charges on Clemente Godina. The complaint was then taken to Justice of the Peace Oscar Liendo who issued Arrest Warrant # 111608 for Aggravated Assault F/2 for Clemente Godina.  Clemente Godina was then arrested and served with the Arrest Warrant at the Laredo Police Department. He was booked and later remanded to the Webb County Jail under a $50,000 bond by Justice of the Peace Oscar Liendo.