On July 31, 2018, Dolores Sanchez, aged 28, was tragically killed in Gardena, California. The incident occurred in the early hours when Selvin Fabian Salazar, a 32-year-old gang member from Inglewood, opened fire at a vehicle in a mobile home park on 135th Street. Dolores Sanchez, who was seated in the driver's seat, was fatally shot. The shooting spree did not end there; Salazar also injured Saith Pedraza, a passenger in the vehicle, who later succumbed to his injuries two years after the
incident. Salazar's actions were driven by a belief that his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Ana Ortiz, had set him up to be attacked by rival gang members. Ortiz, who was four months pregnant at the time, survived a gunshot wound to the neck.
Following the initial shooting, Salazar forced a married couple to drive him to Lynwood. Upon arrival, he shot and killed Francisco Montes, the husband, and attempted to kill Montes' wife, but his gun jammed. This series of violent acts resulted in multiple charges against Salazar, including three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, carjacking, intimidation of a witness, and possession of a firearm by a felon. The jury found true the special circumstance of multiple murders, leading to his conviction.
The legal proceedings culminated in Salazar being sentenced to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 21 years and four months for the other charges. The sentencing took place on October 23, 2024, at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Torrance. During the trial, emotional statements were made by the victims' families, highlighting the profound impact of Salazar's actions on their lives. The District Attorney's office expressed hope that the sentence would bring some measure of closure to the victims' families, acknowledging the immense pain and loss they had endured.
This case underscores the devastating consequences of gang-related violence and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement and prosecutors. The conviction and sentencing of Selvin Fabian Salazar serve as a reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, providing a sense of justice and closure to the affected families.
