Joseph Almanza, a 19-year-old from Sacramento, California, tragically lost his life on June 6, 2020, during a drive-by shooting at a house party in South Sacramento. The incident occurred at a birthday party for a rival gang member, where multiple gang members were present. The shooting resulted in the death of Almanza and injuries to four others. The chaotic scene involved the exchange of gunfire between rival gang members, with a total of five guns fired and 45 shell casings found at the
scene. Surveillance footage captured a vehicle near the shooting moments before and after the incident, which was later linked to the suspects through forensic evidence.
The investigation led to the arrests of Julian Brown and Anthony Smith, who were apprehended 18 months after the shooting. Both men were charged with first-degree murder and multiple counts of discharging a firearm from a vehicle. The evidence against them included DNA found on shell casings and other forensic links placing them at the scene. Additionally, a firearm recovered six weeks after the murder matched one of the sets of shell casings found at the scene. The vehicle used in the drive-by shooting was traced back to a woman in Antioch who had loaned it to Smith.
During the trial, the prosecution presented a strong case, highlighting the gang affiliations of Brown and Smith and their involvement in the drive-by shooting. The jury found both men guilty of first-degree murder and six counts of discharging a firearm from a vehicle. The court also found true the gang enhancement and use of a firearm causing great bodily injury allegations. As a result, Brown and Smith each face a maximum sentence of 92 years to life in prison. Sentencing was scheduled for May 26, 2023, before the Honorable Delbert Oros.
The death of Joseph Almanza not only brought immense grief to his family and friends but also highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence in Sacramento. His family remembered him for his infectious laughter and budding rap career, mourning the loss of a young life taken too soon. The convictions of Brown and Smith provided some measure of justice for Almanza's family, though the pain of his loss remains.
