SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The victim of a workplace shooting at a Carmel Mountain drug testing laboratory testified Friday against his coworker.
A preliminary hearing was held for Julio Narvaez, charged with shooting Michael Limbag at Phamatech on Innovation Dr. last June.
Not only are the two co-workers, but Narvaez had been married to Limbag's cousin for 10 years.
Prosecutors said Narvaez argued with Limbag before the shooting. On the stand, Limbag said Narvaez used a slur against his mother.
Narvaez returned to his desk, grabbed a .22 caliber handgun and shot Limbag once in the face, said prosecutors. Narvaez tried to shoot at least twice more but the gun jammed, according to investigators.
"It shattered in my head. It's millimeters away from my brain and millimeters away from arteries," Limbag testified about the bullet.
Prosecutors said Narvaez ran after Limbag and tried to break down a door to get to him. Other workers tackled Narvaez and restrained him with zip ties until police arrived.
Narvaez pleaded not guilty and is being held on $1 million bail on suspicion of premeditated attempted murder and assault with a semi-automatic firearm. The charges could lead to two consecutive life terms in prison.
Limbag is recovering from his injuries and says he suffers from permanent hearing loss, numbness in his tongue and lack of mobility in his jaw and neck.
