Saline, MI – A Lenawee County man charged with fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend outside a Saline senior living center has been found competent to stand trial. A judge ruled on Thursday that 58-year-old Barry Garza was found competent to stand trial during a hearing in 14-A1 District Court.
Garza is accused of fatally shooting ex-girlfriend, 40-year-old Adrian resident Amber Jo Thomas on Thursday, August 3rd, near the Linden Square Assisted Living Center in Saline. An unnamed 67-year-old man, an acquaintance of Thomas, was also injured in the shooting. Garza was arraigned on charges of open murder, assault with intent to murder and felony firearm.
Thomas and a male acquaintance had been walking to her car in the parking lot of the UAW Local 892 next to the assisted living center when Garza opened fire, according to Saline police Chief Marlene Radzik. Thomas was initially taken to the hospital in critical condition, but later died of her injuries. The man she was with, who is from the Saline area, has not been named and was last reported to be in stable condition.
Police confirmed Thomas had a PPO against Garza. He is currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail without bond. He is next set to appear in court on Thursday, December 21st.
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