SAN FRANCISCO – A San Francisco gang member who murdered two people and later, shot and wounded federal agents who came to arrest him with an AK-47 was sentenced Friday to life in prison, officials.
Victor Flores, 23, of Petaluma, California, a member of the 500 Block/C Street Gang of South San Francisco, was convicted after a three-month trial last year, officials said.
According to the evidence presented at trial, this is what happened:
- During the evening of Dec. 22, 2010, Flores, along with fellow 500 Block/C Street gang member Joseph Ortiz, shot at seven victims who they perceived to be members of the rival Cypress Park Locos gang as the victims walked down Eighth Lane in South San Francisco.
- Gonzalo Avalos, Omar Cortez and Hector Flores were killed while three of the others were wounded.
- In addition, on May 3, 2012, when special agents of the Los Angeles Special Response Team of Homeland Security Investigations tried to arrest Flores at his home in Petaluma, Flores shot at the agents with an AK-47-style assault rifle.
- He emptied two full magazines of ammunition and wounding three agents before eventually surrendering to law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said Flores didn’t show remorse for his vicious crimes.
“Nothing can erase the pain and sorrow caused by Flores’ vicious, unrepentant, criminal behavior,” said Haag. “I hope that the life sentence imposed against him brings some measure of relief to Flores’ victims and their families and that they will at least feel a sense of justice. I am extraordinarily proud of the professionalism and bravery demonstrated by the men and women of law enforcement in this case. They are true heroes and we are especially thankful for their service and commitment to the pursuit of justice.”
The jury convicted Flores of racketeering murders of Avalos, Cortez, and Flores; racketeering attempted murders of the other four victims on Eighth Lane; attempted murders of three federal agents; using a firearm in furtherance of the December 22, 2010, and May 3, 2012, murders and attempted murders; conspiring to conduct the affairs of the 500 Block/C Street Gang through a pattern of racketeering; conspiring to commit murder in aid of racketeering; and conspiring to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.