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Greeley woman sentenced to life in prison after 2022 shooting

By July 11, 2024 | updated 2 years ago

Mary Garcia
Mary Alicia Garcia, 28, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for the first-degree murder of 21-year-old Herminia Marquez in Greeley. Along with the murder, Garcia has four other open cases in Weld County following an alleged crime spree directly after Marquez was killed.
Courtesy of the 19th Judicial District Attorney's Office

A Greeley woman will spend the rest of her life behind bars after shooting and killing a 21-year-old woman in 2022.

Judge Allison Esser sentenced 28-year-old Mary Alicia Garcia to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday after a jury found her guilty of the first-degree murder of Herminia Marquez, according to a press release from the 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. 

“The pain of losing a child is a burden no parent should ever have to bear. The grief we feel is overwhelming,” Marquez’s father said during the sentencing Wednesday, according to the press release.

The fatal shooting happened Nov. 28, 2022, in the 1100 block of 24th Street Lane around 3:30 a.m.

“The pain and devastation that has consumed me since that day is beyond words,” the victim’s mother said. “Life will never be the same because a part of my heart died that day. Losing her has left a void that nothing can fill.”

Investigators later identified Garcia as a suspect and issued a warrant for her arrest. She was on parole at the time of the shooting.

Garcia also has four open and pending cases in Weld County following an alleged robbery spree that occurred after the fatal shooting. 

A month after the fatal shooting, on Dec. 26, 2022, Greeley Police responded to a store robbery in the 4700 block of 29th Street. Investigators found that the incident began as a shoplifting that got violent. Garcia allegedly pointed a handgun at an employee and then fled, according to police. A second warrant was issued for Garcia’s arrest.

On Jan. 1, 2023, Greeley officers were alerted of a home-invasion robbery. Victims identified Garcia as one of the suspects and claimed she was armed with a handgun. A third warrant was issued for aggravated robbery and first-degree burglary.

On Jan. 3, 2023, police were notified of a robbery in Johnstown — around 16 miles from Greeley. According to the investigation by the Johnstown Police Department, Garcia attempted to steal victim’s purse directly from the victim. A gunshot was fired, though investigators were unsure if Garcia was the one to fire. A fourth warrant was issued for aggravated robbery.

Garcia was officially arrested on Jan. 13, 2023, when Greeley police noticed Garcia driving a vehicle near 34th Street and Burlington Avenue in Evans. Police attempted a traffic stop, but Garcia allegedly fled, starting a six-mile-long chase.

Garcia eventually ran from the vehicle and was apprehended by officers. 

Garcia still faces four cases in Weld County. She is due in court for a disposition hearing on July 15. 

The Denver Gazette’s news partner, 9News, contributed to this report

Sage Kelley

Reporter

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