Jose Figueroa Baltazar, a 30-year-old Santa Rosa resident, has been sentenced to a 39 years-to-life term in state prison following his conviction for premeditated attempted murder, among other charges. Baltazar was found guilty for the shooting that took place on May 22, 2022, which left the victim paralyzed from the neck down. In a statement released by the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office, District Attorney Carla Rodriguez called the act of violence "inexplicable" and remarked on the "callousness" with which Baltazar acted.
Previously, Baltazar was arrested by Santa Rosa police after a shooting on a residential street in May 2022, a previously reported incident via CBS NEWS that arose from an argument during a late-night drinking session. After the altercation, a resident's Ring Camera captured Baltazar opening the rear door of his vehicle, shooting the victim in the neck and spine, and then dragging the victim out and driving over him while fleeing the scene.
The aftermath of the shooting left the victim, a 29-year-old man whose name has not been disclosed, hospitalized for months before being diagnosed as quadriplegic. During trial proceedings, it was revealed that Baltazar "snapped" due to what he described as the victim "playfully" slapping his shoulder and touching his knee, as per the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office.
At the sentencing hearing, Deputy District Attorney Matt Hobson, who led the prosecution, called for the maximum sentence possible. He highlighted the defendant's lack of remorse, as evidenced by Baltazar's comments about firearm possession, stating, "People think it's cool," and "It’s just a thing to me," according to the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office release. The case was also assisted by District Attorney Investigator Stephen Bussell and headed by Sergeant Matthew White of the Santa Rosa Police Department.
