COVID isolation prevents court appearance by man accused of using MUNI bus for a ‘drive by’ shooting murder

July 24, 2024

A man who prosecutors say pulled the trigger in an Excelsior-district shooting failed to be arraigned on a murder charge today after the court was told he was in COVID isolation in jail.

Jose Adrian Flores Garcia, 28, is accused of killing Alex Torres on June 18 2024. After his victim got off a bus with his friends at around 11:00pm, Flores Garcia is alleged to have shot him from an open bus window after which he ordered the MUNI driver to speed away.

Torres’ body was found by police near the intersection of Mission Street and Silver Avenue. He had apparently suffered a single gunshot wound and was declared dead at the scene.

Flores Garcia faces one count of first degree murder with special circumstances and one count of discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle.

Judge Kenneth Wine reset the hearing to July 26 2024 in the hope the defendant would be available. He confirmed that he continued to be held without bail.

Police arrested Flores Garcia one month later on July 18 2024. Per SFPD policy no mugshot will be released on Flores Garcia, nor will information be provided as to his citizenship or immigration status.