Bakersfield, California — A teen girl accused of firing shots that injured a California City police officer and damaged a van has been found mentally competent.
Judge Marcus Cuper reinstated criminal proceedings against Annette Garcia on Tuesday, following a review of a clinical psychologist’s report on the teenager.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for mid-July in juvenile court.
Garcia, 17, fired a shot at a van driving near Corwin Street and Lime Avenue on April 21, according to police. The round struck the van and passed through the door, hitting a package inside.
Minutes later, Officer Michael Kelakios confronted Garcia. Police said she turned around and shot him as soon as he got out of his patrol vehicle.
Kelakios, who had been wounded in the leg, returned fire, hitting Garcia in the right hip and left elbow. Other officers arrived and took her into custody.
Both Kelakios and the teen recovered. On June 5, an incident review board determined that Kelakios acted in accordance with department policy.
Garcia is charged with two counts of attempted murder, assault with a firearm on a peace officer, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, attempted murder of a public official, carrying a loaded gun, possession of live ammunition by a minor, carrying a dirk or dagger, and resisting arrest.
A prosecutor claims Garcia had access to unsecured firearms in her mother’s home.
