Manuel Garza’s family is seeking answers after the 32-year-old was fatally shot by a security guard outside a medical clinic in Southwest Portland.
Garza had injured his knee and arrived at the Fanno Creek Medical Clinic on May 8 but never made it inside.
Instead, a confrontation in the parking lot led to his death when the security guard from The Gan, a nearby preschool, shot him, claiming self-defense.
The Gan issued a statement asserting that the guard acted accordingly after feeling threatened and assaulted.
More than a month has passed since the shooting, and Garza’s family remains frustrated over the lack of communication from authorities regarding the incident.
The Gan, affiliated with the Jewish community, utilizes armed security due to increasing concerns about antisemitism.
Garza’s mother, Julia Garza, shared that her son had recently moved to Portland from Wilsonville and was still becoming familiar with the area.
She recalled how Manuel would often scout out new locations ahead of a visit to avoid any surprises.
On the day of the incident, he parked his green Hyundai SUV in the back lot, primarily used by the clinic’s staff, before the confrontation with the security guard occurred.
Dr. Gregg Coodley, the medical director of the clinic, confirmed that Garza did not have an appointment and never registered as a patient on that day.
Garza had been diagnosed with schizophrenia; however, his family emphasized that he had been actively seeking treatment and had never exhibited violent behavior.
Julia Garza reflected on her visit to the clinic’s parking lot following her son’s death, as she tried to piece together the sequence of events but walked away with no clarity.
The family expressed confusion over why the security guard chose to confront Garza directly rather than seek police assistance if he felt threatened.
Melissa Garza, Manuel’s oldest sister, echoed this sentiment, questioning the guard’s immediate response without first alerting the authorities.
The Portland Police Bureau has remained tight-lipped regarding the incident, withholding details about whether the security guard contacted 911 prior to the shooting.
As reported, police arrived at the scene around 11:50 a.m. and found Garza with severe injuries. He ultimately succumbed to those injuries two weeks later in the hospital.
Authorities have not revealed whether Garza was armed during the incident, although his family insists he had no weapons and was not someone who would resort to violence.
The preschool stated that the guard perceived Garza as a direct threat, yet no arrests have been made, and the security guard has been cooperative with investigators.
The day of the incident, police officials stated there was no evidence suggesting religious bias in the shooting, a claim Garza’s family also supports.
“Hearing about the school, the potential of comments about antisemitism… we know him, and we know that’s not the case,” said Melissa Garza in regard to allegations surrounding the incident.
Manuel Castle Garza IV grew up in San Antonio, Texas, alongside his siblings.
As a child, he was described as shy and quiet but still very active, enjoying basketball, video games, and dirt bike riding with friends.
Julia Garza fondly reminisces about her son intermingling in the neighborhood, always playing sports outdoors with the other kids.
His family characterized him as intelligent and skilled with computers, explaining that Manuel often built his devices from scratch.
Garza was academically accomplished, earning two associate degrees before embarking on a career focused on computer forensics and electronics.
While living in Texas, he began experiencing mental health challenges related to his schizophrenia and sought therapy, maintaining a largely functional life through various treatments.
His family recounts that even during episodes, he was not confrontational and would try to remove himself from tense situations.
Manuel moved to Oregon to reunite with his wife, who had relocated there months before.
His latest employment involved working with semiconductor chips, which aligns with his background in computer-based fields.
Following the shooting, Melissa Garza described her brother’s time in the hospital as tumultuous, filled with both hope and despair, ultimately resulting in significant organ damage.
Communication with the family was limited, and Manuel reportedly expressed a desire to survive as his health declined.
In their search for understanding, Garza’s family has also erected a memorial in his honor at the clinic parking lot, a spot they visited to pay their respects.
The flowers and a photo of Manuel, adorned in his favorite San Antonio Spurs jersey, represent the memories they hold dear.
As the Portland Police Bureau’s homicide unit continues its investigation, the timeline remains uncertain regarding the submission of evidence to the Multnomah County District Attorney for potential charges.
Melissa Garza hopes for conclusive answers from the investigation, stating, “We’re trusting the investigation to do what it does.”
No matter the outcome, Jessica Martinez, Manuel’s sister, wishes for people to understand his humanity.
“He was a brother, a son, an uncle, a nephew, a grandson, a cousin. He was extremely loved by so many people.”
The shooting has raised numerous questions within the community, highlighting the complex nature of such tragic encounters and the urgency the family feels for transparency and accountability as they seek justice for Manuel Garza.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/06/family-of-man-killed-by-portland-preschool-security-guard-seeks-answers-insists-he-avoided-fights.html
