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Army Veteran Slain in Sylmar Never Served in Afghanistan, Military Says

Francisco Garcia, a 21-year-old Army veteran, posted this photo on his Facebook on Sept. 4, 2013.

An Army veteran who was gunned down in Sylmar at his homecoming party — purportedly for his return from a tour in Afghanistan — actually was never deployed overseas, a military official confirmed Wednesday.

Francisco Garcia, 21, never served in Afghanistan and was discharged from the U.S. Army in July, said Julie Halpin, a spokeswoman for Fort Drum in New York, where he was stationed.

Garcia enlisted in June 2012 and worked as a cannon crew member at Fort Drum, where he remained until his separation in July, Halpin said.

Los Angeles police had said that Garcia was shot and killed early Sunday outside a party celebrating his homecoming from a tour to Afghanistan.

Click here to read the full story at LATimes.com.