Body found with gunshot to head

Authorities are investigating a possible homicide and are asking the public’s help.

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office said local water district employees found a body on Aaron Road near the edge of the All-American Canal in Winterhaven early Sunday morning.

ICSO Lt. Jimmy Duran said, “There are suspicious circumstances behind this. So at this point , we’re not ruling it a suicide or homicide, but we are treating the investigation as a homicide.”

They said the deceased was a local resident.

“The deceased subject was identified as Rufus Garcia, Jr., a 22-year-old from Yuma. At this point, it is our opinion that he suffered a gunshot wound to the head,” Duran said.

They didn’t say if any firearms were recovered at the scene.

“We’re still actively investigating that and we’re hoping to find additional leads and more information regarding who was on the scene, if there was anybody else on scene ,” Duran said.

Authorities didn’t say if the man was deceased on site or the body moved there. The investigation is ongoing.

“We’re still working all these angles and we’re attempting to gather more information.”

If anybody has any information regarding this case, authorities urge you to contact them as soon as possible at their tip-line.

Please watch our newscast for more information.