PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The family of a Wilsonville man who was shot by a preschool security guard earlier this year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking more than $15 million in damages.
Incident at The Gan Jewish Preschool
According to the lawsuit, 32-year-old Manuel Garza was shot on May 8 in the parking lot of The Gan Jewish Preschool on Southwest Capitol Highway in Southwest Portland. The incident followed a confrontation with the school’s security guard. Garza was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the stomach and died from his injuries about two weeks later.
The complaint describes Garza as having been in the middle of a mental health episode on the morning of the shooting. His family said he had been driving around and listening to music to calm himself. He first drove into the preschool parking lot briefly and then left without incident.
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When Garza returned a short while later, the situation escalated. The lawsuit alleges that the security guard kicked Garza’s car and yelled at him to leave the property. Garza then drove into a nearby parking lot, at which point the security guard followed him on foot, leading to the fatal confrontation.
Footage Reveals Escalation
Body-camera footage, released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office in June, captured the tense encounter between Garza and the guard. In the video, Garza can be heard shouting, “What’s your problem?” before the guard allegedly placed his hands on Garza’s throat. Moments later, the security guard drew his firearm and shot Garza at close range, striking him in the stomach.
The family’s lawsuit claims the guard’s actions were “reckless, unnecessary, and outside the scope of his duties.” It further states that the guard “took matters into his own hands” rather than contacting law enforcement or following proper de-escalation procedures.
Legal Claims and Damages
Filed earlier this week, the lawsuit names both the security guard and The Gan Jewish Preschool as defendants. The complaint seeks over $15 million in damages for wrongful death, emotional suffering, and loss of companionship.
Attorneys representing Garza’s family argue that the preschool failed to adequately train or supervise the security guard, resulting in an avoidable tragedy. They also allege the school is liable for employing a guard who was “ill-equipped to handle interactions with individuals in crisis.”
Response from Authorities and School
Following the incident, a spokesperson for the preschool stated that the guard had acted in self-defense, asserting that Garza posed a threat during the altercation. However, the family disputes that claim, emphasizing that Garza was unarmed and suffering from a mental health crisis, not engaging in violent behavior.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office previously announced that the guard would not face criminal charges, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to prove the shooting was unlawful under Oregon’s self-defense statutes.
Family’s Statement and Ongoing Questions
Garza’s family has maintained that he was a kind, nonviolent person who needed compassion and medical support, not confrontation. “He was struggling and needed help, not a bullet,” one family member said in a statement accompanying the lawsuit.
The lawsuit comes amid growing discussions across Oregon about the role and training of armed security personnel, particularly at schools and places serving vulnerable populations.
Awaiting Court Proceedings
As of now, The Gan Jewish Preschool and the security guard have not publicly commented on the legal action. KOIN 6 News reached out to both parties but did not receive responses. The case will proceed through Multnomah County Circuit Court, where a trial date has not yet been scheduled.
The Garza family hopes the lawsuit will bring attention to what they describe as a systemic failure to protect individuals experiencing mental health crises, and push institutions to adopt safer, more compassionate approaches in the future.
