A fundraiser has been launched to help cover funeral and burial costs for Romario Raso Garcia, who family members publicly identified through a GoFundMe campaign after he was fatally shot while working at a Richmond IHOP on Dec. 29.
Organized by Maria Guadalupe Lopez Melendez, the fundraiser seeks to raise $30,000 to support the family during an emotionally and financially difficult time.
Those who wish to contribute or share the fundraiser can visit gofundme.com/f/romario-garcia-funeral-expenses.
Richmond Police responded to the IHOP around 1:43 p.m. on Monday after co-workers found Garcia unconscious in the kitchen with injuries later determined to be the result of a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A person of interest in the IHOP homicide was later found near the San Pablo Police Department with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooting marked Richmond’s sixth homicide of the year, and homicide detectives continue to investigate. Authorities have not released details on the motive.
