Jorge Flores and Carlos Trejo have been found guilty of first degree murder with special circumstances of committing the murders in furtherance of a criminal street gang and by lying in wait. The jury also found both defendants guilty of attempting to murder three other victims during this crime spree that involved three separate shootings at three different locations.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy DA Cole Sherman.
On January 15, 2021 at about 10:30 p.m., Flores and Trejo, who were active participants in the Norteno criminal street gang, drove in the area of Cottonwood Road and Cannon Ave looking for a potential target. Flores drove up to a man he spotted riding a bicycle. Trejo asked the victim, “where are you from?”, and then fired multiple shots at the man, killing him.
Thirteen minutes after fleeing, Flores drove his vehicle to the area of East Planz Road and Meeks Ave and drove past a parked vehicle containing Vladimir Sanchez and a male passenger. After seeing potential targets, Trejo fired nine rounds directly at Sanchez and the other male victim, hitting them both. Sanchez succumbed to his injuries.
On January 16, 2021, around 5:15 a.m., Flores and Trejo went to the area of Belle Terrace and Taylor Street, where they waited outside an apartment complex for potential victims. Scottie Tripp and his brother were in their car warming it up before work when Scottie briefly returned to his apartment. Flores and Trejo hid behind a wall and when Scottie returned, asked where he was from. Before he could react, Trejo fired seven shots, killing him. Flores and Trejo fled on foot, and Scottie’s brother pursued them in his vehicle. Trejo then stopped and fired five more shots at the brother, striking the car.
DA Zimmer commented; “Flores and Trejo acted with clear intent to commit murder as part of a crime spree carried out for the benefit of their street gang. Two lives were lost, and three others were permanently altered due to this senseless act of violence. These crimes demand serious consequences, and we will pursue severe punishment to ensure these individuals can no longer harm our community.”
Sentencing is scheduled for February 23, 2026 where Flores and Trejo each face life in prison without the possibility of parole