Last Monday, an Orange County jury convicted 29-year-old Shaun Marvin Engram Jr. of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of retired U.S. Army Corporal Joseph William Torres in downtown Orlando in 2021.
The tragic incident unfolded early on May 2, 2021, when bars discharged their patrons into the streets. Police officers, positioned at East Central Boulevard and North Orange Avenue, were suddenly alerted to gunfire, finding Torres suffering from multiple gunshot wounds upon responding to 20 North Orange Avenue, where he was pronounced dead shortly after that. Detectives were able to obtain and scour surveillance footage from a nearby building, which chillingly captured the entire confrontation and subsequent shooting; the footage showed Torres trying to navigate through a group of men, Engram blocking his path, and a violent altercation that ended in gunfire as Torres tried to flee the assault, according to a statement from the State Attorney's Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
In a pretrial hearing, Engram had sought protection under the 'Stand Your Ground' law. Still, the court dismissed his claim, citing clear and convincing evidence that he had been the aggressor and that his use of deadly force was unfounded, given that Torres was retreating.
The four-day trial concluded with Engram being found guilty as charged with second-degree murder. The jury also highlighted that Engram indeed discharged a weapon that caused Torres' death.
Legal proceedings are slated to continue for Engram, who now awaits sentencing scheduled for January 31, 2025. Those interested in further updates regarding hearings have been directed to the Orange County Clerk of Court’s website for the latest information.
