Victor Barrientos Jr., a 29-year-old resident of Rancho Cordova, California, tragically lost his life on October 13, 2018. Barrientos was found wounded in the street at the intersection of Astral Drive and Burline Street, having been shot in the upper body. According to family members, he was driving his pickup truck and hanging up signs for a yard sale when the incident occurred. The confrontation began when a man approached Barrientos, instructing him not to hang signs in his area.
Despite Barrientos leaving the scene, the man pursued him, leading to a fatal road rage incident.
The suspect, Mathew Shaffer, was arrested and charged with the murder of Victor Barrientos Jr. Shaffer, who suffers from schizophrenia, claimed that a pickup truck driving on the wrong side of the road had hit him and two friends he was walking with. He alleged that a man in the truck pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot him. Despite these claims, Shaffer stated he did not remember anyone actually shooting and denied ever owning a gun. Court records revealed that Shaffer had a history of legal issues, including a dismissed charge for assault with a firearm in 2005 and a no-contest plea to attempted robbery the same year.
The investigation into Barrientos' death revealed that the shooting was a result of a road rage incident. Shaffer's mother declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding her son's arrest. Barrientos, who worked in construction and landscaping, was the primary breadwinner for his family, allowing his wife to stay at home with their three children, aged 2, 7, and 9. Following his death, a GoFundMe campaign was established to support his family during this difficult time. The community mourned the loss of Barrientos, remembering him as a helpful and friendly individual who was always willing to assist others.
