Christian Sanchez, a 20-year-old resident of La Puente, California, was tragically killed on April 1, 2017, in Duarte, California. His death was the result of a gunshot wound to the chest, which occurred during a drug deal gone wrong. On that fateful day, deputies responding to a possible burglary on the 2600 block of Calle Martos discovered Sanchez's body inside an empty home. The coroner's office confirmed that Sanchez died from the gunshot wound, and initial reports identified him as Christian Sanchez, although later records corrected his name to Cristian Sanchez.
The investigation revealed that Sanchez had gone to the vacant residence to sell bottles of Lean, a concoction of cough syrup mixed with candy and soda. Ricardo Resendez, a 30-year-old man, was identified as the primary suspect in the case. According to detectives, Resendez and others broke into the house by smashing a sliding glass door, while Sanchez entered to conduct the drug transaction. It is believed that an argument or some other altercation occurred, leading to Sanchez being fatally shot. Witnesses reported seeing individuals leaving the scene, which prompted neighbors to call the authorities.
Ricardo Resendez was arrested at his home on August 15, 2017, after a witness identified him as the shooter. He was charged with first-degree murder, along with special circumstance allegations of murder during the commission of a robbery and personally discharging a firearm resulting in great bodily injury and death. Resendez eventually took a plea deal, pleading no contest to first-degree murder and admitting to using a gun in the crime. On October 28, 2019, he was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison.
The case highlighted the dangers associated with illegal drug transactions and the tragic consequences that can arise from them. The investigation and subsequent trial brought some closure to the family of Christian Sanchez, although the loss of a young life in such a violent manner remains a poignant reminder of the risks involved in such activities. The community of Duarte was left to grapple with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, as they mourned the loss of a young man whose life was cut short far too soon.
