Marcelo Garcia will be remembered in a public funeral service on Wednesday. Houston Mayor John Whitmire asked drivers to turn on their lights.
HOUSTON — Drivers are being asked to turn on their headlights on Wednesday, the day a fallen firefighter will be remembered in a funeral service.
Marcelo Garcia died early Thursday morning in the line of duty. He was battling a fire at warehouse on Houston’s East End when a wall fell on him.
Editor’s note: Video above is from Thursday, the day firefighter Marcelo Garcia died
In a release sent out Sunday, Houston Mayor John Whitmire asked that on Wednesday, Houstonians drive with their lights on to honor Garcia. He said that includes anyone who commutes to the city.
There will be a public viewing for Garcia on Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home at 6900 Lawndale. There will be a separate private viewing for Garcia’s family and friends.
Garcia’s public funeral will be the following day, Wednesday, November 13 at 9 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, which is at 1111 St. Joseph Parkway.
Arrest in the case
Over the weekend, a woman was charged in the case. Yesenia Espinoza Mendez, 38, has been charged with arson-bodily injury or death, according to court records. She was taken into custody on Saturday.
Charging documents claim Espinoza lit materials in a warehouse that grew quickly. That fire ultimately led to Garcia’s death and another firefighter being injured, the documents said
HFD said a wall collapsed while Garcia was battling the fire in Houston’s East End. Charging documents revealed that firefighters had to pull Garcia out from the rubble and were unable to resuscitate him.
Houston METRO police were able to identify Espinoza as a suspect through facial recognition software after surveillance video showed her leaving the scene and getting on a METRO train.
On Saturday, in probable cause court, a judge granted Espinoza a $100,000 surety bond.
Espinoza is a mother of six. Her family told KHOU 11 News she’s had a tough life, suffering from mental health issues such as depression.
More than 100 firefighters responded to the three-alarm fire.