Andy Garcia Honors His Niece's Boyfriend, Sean Taylor
Andy Garcia is paying tribute to slain NFL star Sean Taylor, who died this week after being shot inside his Florida home during an apparent break-in.
The actor's niece, Jackie Garcia, was the girlfriend of the Redskins safety and was
there Monday night when they heard loud noises inside Taylor's home.
Jackie Garcia hid in the couple's bedroom with their 18-month-old daughter, also named Jackie, while Sean Taylor, 24, went to investigate the break-in.
The intruder fired at least two shots, one of which struck Sean Taylor in the groin. The assailant then fled as Taylor stumbled back to the bedroom and Jackie Garcia called 911 on her cellphone. The phone lines to Taylor's home had been cut.
Andy Garcia's niece was with Sean Taylor on the fateful night.
"His heroic action on that tragic night saved both of their lives and is a testament to his humanity and courage," Andy Garcia, the star of Ocean's Thirteen, said in a statement to the Miami Herald. "His spirit will live forever, in our hearts and through the legacy of his achievements and the family he leaves behind."
Jackie Garcia and Sean Taylor were high school sweethearts at South Florida's Gulliver Preparatory School and attended the University of Miami together.
"Sean Taylor as known to many as an extraordinary athlete and unquestionable teammate," Andy Garcia, 51, added. "To those of us who had the good fortune to count him as a member of our extended family, we will always remember him as a caring and loving individual."
The Miami-Dade police director said Wednesday that authorities have "no reason to think this was anything other than a burglary or a robbery."
There are no suspects in the murder of Sean Taylor, who died at the hospital after suffering major blood loss and brain damage as a result of the shooting.
November 29th, 2007 11:42 PM
This story does not add up to me. When I hear a noise in my home and my husband goes to check on the issue, I normally stay in the room, but remain sitting straight up in bed. My house was also broken into one evening...the next day we had all types of motion detecters and alarms installed the very next day. We never turned them off, even in the daytime we kept them on. It doesn't add up that they would be there asleep with no security when they just went through a break in and it doesn't make sense that a grown woman would hide her infant under a cover if she feels that threatened. Nevermind hiding in a closet or bathroom. The covers hunh. Yeah right. This story is very fishy to me!!!
December 1st, 2007 3:43 PM
That is the very same question alot of people seem to be asking. I am starting to think Sean thought he was invicible. What other reason would you NOT install security after someone already came in an invaded your privacy? Not to mention their is an infant child in the home to secure. I would hate to think that Ms. Garcia had something to do with this being they were high school sweethearts. Her along with her child are the very ones who would gain from his death. This is a very strange story. And one more thing....why would you take a knife to a gun fight? What the heck was the machete suppose to do? If someone is breaking into a home clearly they would not come empty handed. Oh maybe Sean thought they had another kitchen knife.!!!
December 1st, 2007 5:36 PM
During the first break-in, no one was there so they probably thought it was a simple intruder since there had been 3 break-ins in that neighborhood this month and he was not allowed to own a gun because he was on probation for something that happened in 2005 where he pleaded guilty and had to speak at local schools and give donations to those schools as well.
December 1st, 2007 6:05 PM
Lisa you are just out of this world. How dare you accuse or make comments on what you would do in that situation. "YOU WASN"T THERE". You are also forget that isn't wher he lives year round. Maybe he should have called you to install the alarm system for him. I guess you didn't read that "THE PHONE LINES WERE CUT".He lives in Virginia during the season so that wasn't a priority for me. He was there for one day to check on things and see his family. Everyone has to add there two cents about what they would have done "JUST SHUT UP". When it's you time to go it's your time, whatever way that may be. An by the way he couldn't carry a gun because he was on probation from attempting to hurt someone who stole things from him. "Wonderin too" How do you know where the bathroom was?????? Or the closet?????? Have you been in his house???? Maybe you where the one who broke in before!!!!! Since you seem to know the layout of his house......He tried to lock the bedroom door and the kicked it down!!!! That's what happen. Do your research before you make comments on someone especially if a life was lost. Who would you feel if this was loved one??????????
December 1st, 2007 6:22 PM
yes Lisa, I don't know how you could say it doesn't add up..what doesn't add up? You don't make sense. When your scared out of your mind, your not thinking 100%. Fear takes over. Everyone reacts to fear differently. Who are you to judge how the situation was handled. I hate when people like you tell people how they are suppose to react. Your ignorant.
December 1st, 2007 6:51 PM
so sad, they both are/were so young to lose each other, and the daughter to grow up without a dad., so sad., my father die (from a illness)when i saw 2 and my mother was 21, she never remarried( that once in a life time love, i guess, anyway, my GOD bless the family in this very sad time., and the young lady did the right thing, protect your young., and mr taylor, what a brave man.,
December 1st, 2007 7:26 PM
You.. why are you attacking Lisa for her opinion? A good detective will ask all those questions Lisa is asking plus some.
Anwya, peace to everyone and my condolences to this family and all the many nameless families going through the same thing in this country. The violence has to end before it ends us all. Are we not civilized?
December 2nd, 2007 5:10 PM
These people that are posting terrible assumptions should be ashamed of themselves. Here you have 2 young kids with a baby..who were awakened in the middle of the night. They were scared, people react differntly to fear, a young man was just trying to protect his family. I cant imagine the fear they experienced. For people to imply she had something to gain?? They have captured the murderers..She had nothing to do with it and she could not have prevented it. Shame on you Lisa!! God bless Seans girlfriend and his daughter.
December 2nd, 2007 7:54 PM
It's sad i am reading these comments and thx to Rebecca and the others that had the sense not to say negative things for reading my mind ppl are so dumb or should i say ignorant to the fact that this girl grew up around money shes been with Sean since high school. Her family is the Garcias in Miami we all went to the same private school next time read or do some research before you judge ppl...or better yet try being in that situation....STOP WITH THE NEGATIVITY!!!!! HOW ABOUT YOU JUST PRAY FOR THE FAMILY.....
December 2nd, 2007 9:31 PM
Lisa, I found your comments extremely offensive. You are making assumptions that the girlfriend is not telling the truth. Well what would be her motive for lieing about what really happened? Are you hinting that she had something to do with the murder. Theyve already caught the killers and soon enough their confessions will be public record. Just because you sit up straight in your bed when you hear noises doesnt mean every woman in the world reacts the same way. Some may hid, some may cry, some may even grab a weapon and run downstairs! Your assumptions are not well thought out and immature. To top it off the father of her child hasn't even been buried yet and you are already questioning the validity of her story. Very classy.
December 3rd, 2007 1:17 PM
Hi Lisa and Wondering too,
You two are very ignorant. You were not there, they captured the four suspects. Our prayers are with the families.
December 3rd, 2007 2:55 PM
My heart goes out to the whole family, Such a young life in the prime, sometimes things doesnt make sense. Hopefully people will learn that life is a precious gift and we need to live in peace and tell our loved ones how much we love them daily. Violence should end and people that are caught like this should pay inmediatly for their crime. Go in Peace Sean, and May God protect your family and those left behind always.
December 3rd, 2007 9:07 PM
Lisa and welcome you guys are to funny... and asad to say the least. So I guess its his fault? True precauations could have been taken, but please just because the alarm situation NO ONE AND I MEAN NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT THESE FOUR MEN HAVE DONE TO HIM. It's like your saying he deserved what he got. PLEASE!!! If this ws your husband or family member would you be saying the same thing? I think NOT! Another innocent life is taken over STUPIDITY!!! My praywers go out his family, mainly his daughter that will not know what its like to have a father all over BS.
December 3rd, 2007 10:47 PM
I to have two daughters and never felt so close to sean in that aspect. My thoughts and prayers go out to the taylor and garcia family, jackie stay strong.
December 4th, 2007 3:53 AM
yes, he reacted in the moment by instincts only. Looking back in hindsight does not change anything. the only thing that mattered is he wanted to survive and protect his family. Now everyone needs to forgive their judgments and those who killed him and move on rather than hold resentments which help no one. I think sean would like forgiveness to happen for everyone. After all he is in a good place now.
December 4th, 2007 11:39 AM
My son playes for the NFL. He and his wife had a break-in at there Metro Atlanta home. It angers me that he, Sean Taylor and so many others worked hard to acheive there goals and other people come along to kill, steal and distroy. What ever happen to working for your own stuff!
December 4th, 2007 4:16 PM
To Wondering too,
How would Ms. Garcia gain from his death? She was not married to him so legally she wouldn't gain anything. And you don't know the stipulations of his will or if he even had one. So, I'm wondering what you're talking about.
December 4th, 2007 5:56 PM
HOw would she gain from his death? How about, the blood heir to his money is her son. Also, I think some people are putting the fact that this "should not happen to anyone" argument as justification for berating the first two commentors. Whether or not someone should be killed (obviously the answer is not) really doesn't play into why the murder occurred. Something is going to come out regarding this case because all of the murders are on suicide watch right now. Usually means something is being covered up that they don't want to speak about.
December 5th, 2007 3:15 AM
Your comments is what totally does not make sense. Do you ever ask yourself what you would do in this situation? I guess not everyone is as smart as you to put security into your household. Do you know what neighborhood he lived in? Do you know if the neighborhood was upscale or just another 'ghetto' hood. Let's be honest here, the first thing you jump to into your remarkable opinion is how stupid others are. Maybe this kind of even should happen to you with your loved ones around---how would you react if you only had a machete around. It would be a different case if Sean Taylor was waving a gun in the household--would that be the better solution? keep a gun in the household. I seriously think you all should shut your mouths and think of more important issues that's important all of us Americans alike.
December 10th, 2007 12:00 AM
Those comments that were made were pretty ignorant and just mean. It was obvious by those who spoke at his funeral that he was well liked, loved and respected by his community, team, and family. He played football all his life, and this is not something easy...It takes dedication & hard work, and people just wanna come along & take that away. I agree with the comment from the Dr. Carrington..."work for your own stuff!"
Additionally, rich or poor, people shouldn't criticize someone who has died...period!!
December 12th, 2007 6:26 PM
We all have our thoughts based on facts or mere instincts. Sometimes the best instinct discovers what the naked eye will miss. It can not be understated that a person was killed, but there is too much conflicting information even if you do your research. Was there a thin line of love and hate, or a cover up for someone in the background. In due time speculations will be laid to rest, but I have an instinct that something is not right with Jackie in thie whole equation.