Maria Guadalupe Juarez, a 14-year-old girl from Modesto, California, tragically lost her life in a shooting incident on December 26, 2020. The incident occurred just after midnight when an unknown suspect opened fire on a car driving along Martin Luther King Boulevard near Oak Street. Maria was in the car with three other individuals: an 18-year-old woman, a 16-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old girl. The car was struck by multiple gunshots, resulting in Maria's death at the scene.
The 18-year-old woman and the 16-year-old boy sustained injuries but were expected to recover, while the 11-year-old girl was unharmed. Maria's family and friends were devastated by the loss, describing her as a loving and happy girl who always tried to make others smile.
The investigation into Maria's death revealed that the shooting was gang-related. Damon Morrison Jr., a 25-year-old member of the Valley Boyz Crip street gang, was identified as the primary suspect. On the night of the shooting, Maria's car had made a wrong turn into a dead-end street controlled by the gang. Mistaking the car for belonging to a rival gang, Morrison and two other gang members opened fire, discharging over 20 shots into the vehicle. Maria was fatally shot twice, and the car crashed into a light pole as she attempted to escape.
Following the incident, Modesto Police Department's homicide detectives apprehended Morrison and the other two shooters, 24-year-old Angelo Keo and a 16-year-old boy, about a month later. Morrison was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Keo, who initially faced murder and attempted murder charges, had his charges reduced to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon as part of a plea deal. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The juvenile suspect remains in custody, with the court determining whether he will be tried as an adult or a minor.
The tragic death of Maria Guadalupe Juarez highlights the devastating impact of gang violence on innocent lives. Her family continues to mourn her loss, and the community has rallied to support them during this difficult time. The Modesto Police Department and the District Attorney's Office have worked diligently to bring those responsible to justice, significantly reducing the gang's ability to engage in criminal activities.
