A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on Aug. 9 for gunning down another man in a Garden Grove, California, hotel two years ago.
Enrique Torres was convicted in March of second-degree murder with sentencing enhancements for the discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury or death and the personal use of a firearm. The charges stemmed from the killing of 28-year-old Eddie Barajas of Stanton on Jan. 17, 2021, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 11999 Harbor Blvd.
Mr. Barajas and his friends went to the hotel at about 3:40 a.m. that morning to attend a party, according to a trial brief from Deputy District Attorney Stephen Cornwell. The group got into a “verbal exchange” with Agustin Cortez and Mr. Torres, Mr. Cornwell said.
Mr. Cortez was charged in connection with the attack, but prosecutors later dismissed the case against him.
It was unclear what started the dispute, but there was an allegation that someone yelled out a gang name, Mr. Cornwell said.
As the argument escalated into a physical fight between the two groups, Mr. Barajas stooped to set down his beer and when he stood back up he was shot in the head, Mr. Cornwell said.
Mr. Barajas was heard to say, “Let’s just have a good day” before the argument escalated, Mr. Cornwell said.
Mr. Torres fled, but was arrested May 18, 2021.
