A man has been convicted of multiple counts, including the attempted murder of two Sacramento police officers, stemming from a 2020 gun battle in a grocery store parking lot that left Wilcox injured and no officers hurt. Malcolm Wilcox now faces 74 years to life in prison when he returns to court next month.
According to the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, Wilcox was convicted Tuesday of the attempted murder charges along with other counts tied to the April 11, 2020 incident. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, when the court will also take up an allegation involving a prior strike for first-degree burglary, as reported by CBS Sacramento.
A Parking Lot Confrontation Turns Into a Gunfight
The confrontation unfolded about 4:30 p.m. in the lot between the Foods Co. supermarket and its gas station on the 7400 block of West Stockton Boulevard, according to The Sacramento Bee. The suspect pulled a black handgun from his waistband, pointed it at officers and fired multiple shots before running through the lot, the paper reported at the time.
Two officers returned fire, with each firing a sidearm more than seven times, per the same account. Despite the volume of gunfire exchanged, no officers were injured in the gun battle. Officers eventually found the suspect injured and tactically approached him with ballistic shields before taking him into custody.
Department Released Body-Camera and Dash-Camera Footage
Days after the shooting, the Sacramento Police Department released two body-camera videos along with two dashboard-camera videos documenting the encounter, the Bee reported. The footage documented an incident that, more than six years later, has now concluded with a jury verdict.
Under California law, an attempted crime can be punished even when the underlying offense is not completed. California Penal Code Section 664 provides that a person who attempts to commit a crime but fails, or is prevented or intercepted, may still be punished for the attempt, including when there is a direct but ineffectual act toward committing it.
Sentencing Set for Next Month
Wilcox's sentencing hearing on November 13 will also determine whether the alleged prior strike for first-degree burglary applies to his case, according to CBS Sacramento's reporting. That determination could affect how the court approaches the 74 years to life he faces in connection with the convictions.
