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Suspect In Good Samaritan Shooting Arrested After Motel Standoff

By Karen Morfitt

DENVER (CBS4)- The man who police say kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and then shot both her and a Good Samaritan who tried to help has been arrested.

Police arrested Jesus Garcia after a standoff at the Western Motor Inn in the 4700 block of Vasquez just after 5 p.m. Friday.

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Copter4 flew over the Western Motor Inn where Jesus Garcia-Chavez was arrested (credit: CBS)

Officers across the Denver metro area have been looking for Garcia since early Sunday morning when he allegedly shot his ex-girlfriend and the man who tried to help her.

jesus-garcia-chavez
(credit: CBS)

"I didn't realize he was still in town and so close," said Brian Geer.

Geer says he and his wife woke up to panicked screams from a woman at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.

That woman was running from her ex-boyfriend. Desperate to get away, she showed up on Geer's front porch and began frantically ringing the doorbell.

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(credit: CBS)

Before Geer could get outside, video from his home surveillance system he shared with CBS4 shows the suspect grabbing the young woman, shooting her in the leg and then dragging her into the street.

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(credit: CBS)

Geer intervened and that's when he was shot in the femur. Garcia, 32, ran away, leaving everyone on edge until his capture.

"Lots of happiness, we are relieved, we'll sleep better," Geer said.

While he continues to focus on his recovery, Geer says what happened to him in the last week has shed new light on his life.

"Other than being very thankful to be alive, It just shows me how blessed I am with my friends and family," he said.

Garcia will face charges of kidnapping, three counts of first degree assault, possession of a weapon by a previous offender and felony menacing.

Jesus Garcia
Jesus Garcia-Chavez (credit: Denver Police)

According to police, Garcia's criminal history includes assault to a peace officer, assault, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, felony menacing, assault, eluding, resisting arrest, forgery, trespass and possession of a controlled substance.

Additional Resources

Brian Geer, the Good Samaritan who was a victim in this case, is facing large medical expenses. Friends have set up a GoFundMe account.

Karen Morfitt Joined the CBS4 team as a reporter in 2013. She covers a variety of stories in and around metro Denver. Connect with her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @karenmorfitt or email her tips.

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