A California man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after admitting he fatally shot a popular Fresno food vendor during a robbery in 2021.
According to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, Demarcus Jaime Vega, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Lorenzo Perez, 45. A judge imposed the prison sentence on Thursday.
Prosecutors Say Vega Posed as a Customer
Authorities said the shooting occurred on March 21, 2021, when Vega was 18 years old.
According to prosecutors, Vega was riding a scooter near the intersection of South Price Avenue and East Alta Avenue when he saw Perez, who was traveling with his food cart attached to a bicycle.
Investigators said Vega flagged Perez down, causing the vendor to stop. After a brief conversation, Vega allegedly acted as though he intended to buy food.
Instead, prosecutors said he pulled a handgun from his pocket and shot Perez in the head.
Robbery Followed the Shooting
After the shooting, Vega allegedly searched through Perez’s pockets before fleeing the area.
Emergency responders found Perez lying on the ground and transported him to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
According to investigators, robbery was the motive behind the attack.
Surveillance Footage Helped Identify Suspect
Police identified Vega after interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from the area.
Authorities arrested him four days after the killing, and the case eventually resulted in his guilty plea to second-degree murder.
Victim Remembered by Family
Prosecutors described Lorenzo Perez as a well-known food vendor who served families throughout southeast Fresno.
During sentencing, Perez’s family shared the impact of his death.
His oldest son described his father as a proud and hardworking man whose family meant everything to him. He also told the court that the crime permanently changed the lives of those who loved Perez.
Mental Health Evaluation Delayed Proceedings
According to prosecutors, the case was delayed while Vega underwent a mental health evaluation after concerns were raised regarding intellectual disabilities.
The evaluation postponed the legal proceedings before the case ultimately reached a resolution.
Defense Says Client Has Shown Remorse
Defense attorney Jamil Nushwat said after sentencing that he believed the punishment was fair.
He stated that Vega had expressed genuine remorse for his actions, had shown personal growth during the court process, and was interested in rehabilitation.
Prison Sentence
Demarcus Jaime Vega will serve 25 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of Lorenzo Perez.
The sentence brings the criminal case to a close, while Perez’s family continues to remember him as a hardworking father and respected member of the Fresno community.
