An Oregon father is being called a hero after driving his wife and two young sons to safety despite being shot in the head during a terrifying attack outside an In-N-Out Burger drive-thru.
Police in Keizer, Oregon, announced Wednesday that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the February shooting of 28-year-old Marcio Garcia. Authorities say Ethan Adrian Armenta-Lagunas, 20, and Gabriel “Alex” Javier, 18, were taken into custody and are facing multiple charges, including first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, criminal mischief, and recklessly endangering another person.
A third suspect, 22-year-old Anthony Taylor-Manriquez, is still being sought by police and is considered armed and dangerous.
According to investigators, Garcia was leaving the In-N-Out drive-thru with his wife and their two sons, ages 2 and 7, when gunfire suddenly erupted near the restaurant. Bullets shattered the windows of the family’s vehicle, and Garcia was struck in the head.
Incredibly, despite suffering such a devastating injury, Garcia managed to keep driving long enough to get his family out of danger and to a hospital.
His wife later shared the emotional details in an online fundraiser, praising her husband’s courage amid the chaos.
“In the middle of chaos and fear, while he was injured and in pain, he somehow found the strength to drive us out of the scene to safety,” she wrote. “He protected our family before thinking of himself. That is the kind of man and father he is.”
Garcia underwent surgery after the shooting, and photos shared online reportedly showed the bullet doctors removed from his head. Even more astonishing, his wife said doctors found no major brain damage.
“The doctors told us what we already believe — this is nothing short of a miracle,” she said. “Now he faces a long road of rest, healing, and recovery.”
Police said multiple firearms were discovered at Armenta-Lagunas’ apartment during the investigation. Authorities have not publicly said what led to the shooting or whether Garcia knew the suspects.
The story has stunned many across Oregon, not only because of the violence involved, but because of Garcia’s remarkable actions in protecting his family while seriously wounded. What could have ended in even greater tragedy instead became a story of survival, courage, and what many are calling divine intervention.
As Garcia continues recovering at home, his family is focusing on healing and thanking supporters who have rallied around them in recent months. While the emotional and physical recovery process will likely take time, his wife says they remain grateful he is still alive.
For now, police continue searching for the remaining suspect while Garcia’s loved ones hold tightly to the miracle they believe saved his life.