Cristian Garcia
Cristian Garcia
Cristian Garcia is a linebacker for the Florida Gators football team and a junior at the University of Florida. Cristian works security at 101 Cantina, a restaurant and bar on University Avenue in Gainesville, Florida. Cristian is originally from Miami, Florida. He attended Belen Jesuit preparatory School in Miami.
In 2015, Cristian started the 2015 Football season working in the video department and in the summer went through the process and was granted walk-on status. His lone appearance came in January during the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl when he assisted on two tackles in University of Florida's 41-7 loss to University of Michigan.
Arrest of Rapist Christopher Shaw
On July 21, 2016 Cristian and a unnamed coworker stopped and detained rapist Christopher Shaw when he saw Shaw sexually assault a 19 year old woman next to a dumpster.
Cristian said “I was taking out the garbage, and I saw the man (Christopher Shaw) pressing the woman up against the Dumpster. At first the guy said she was his girlfriend, but about five seconds later I realized the girl was unconscious,” Garcia said. “I turned around and pulled the guy by the shoulder and said 'get off.' That pretty much ended the situation then. He was intoxicated and attempted to throw some punches, but he slipped and busted his face on the wall.”
Garcia said he never had any 2nd thoughts about going after the alleged attacker.
He said "I hold strong moral values and I don't think anyone should be taken advantage of in that kind of way."
The rape occurred at 2:20 a.m. Thursday behind Cantina 101 in the 1600 block of West University Avenue.
By the end of the day, Gainesville Police had detained Christopher Shaw. He was arrested on a charge of sexual battery.
Interviewed later at the hospital, the victim told Gainesville Police she did not know the man and did not consent to having sex with him, the report states. She said she tried to push him away "but was physically helpless because she was going in and out of consciousness due to her level of intoxication."
Friday morning, Gainesville Police Department announced detectives "have reason to believe"Shaw may have raped other women. They are urging anyone with information to contact GPD Detective Cpl. Amanda Prince at 352-393-7618. Victims can also make an anonymous rape report.