SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A man sentenced to life behind bars after being convicted of shooting his coworker in his face. Julio Narvaez pleaded guilty to opening fire at his Phamatech company in 2017.
"The consequences are something he has to bare," said judge Laura Halgren at his sentencing on Friday. Narvaez pleaded not guilty to shooting his coworker in the face at their Carmel Mountain Ranch office. Police say they got into an argument when Narvaez pulled out a gun from his desk and opened fire.
The victim, Michael Limbag, is also the cousin of Narvaez's wife. He's still recovering two years later.
"He has hearing loss," said Halgren. "There’s a fragment bullet in his brain that could move at any time. He has headaches every day, nightmares."
The defense brought in a neurologist to testify. He said Narvaez may have a connection to Alzheimer's, but could not make a definitive diagnosis. That move then backfired for the defense.
"If this really did play a role in Mr. Narvaez’s behavior, then he poses a danger and will continue to pose greater danger," said Halgren. "Whatever degenerative process he has could be offered an explanation for some of the behavior but doesn’t excuse it."
Police say Narvaez tried to shoot the victim at least twice, but the gun jammed.
He pleaded guilty to attempted murder and use of a firearm with bodily injury.
