6 months ago
WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - A man arrested in a fatal West Sacramento neighborhood shooting Wednesday evening will not face charges at this time, the Yolo County District Attorney's Office has determined.
Police had arrested Michael Moniz, Jr., 23, for murder and attempted murder in the shooting on Cummins Way that left Joseph Villanueva, 32, dead. Five others were also injured in the altercation.
However, from information provided by the West Sacramento Police Department, Hamilton said it was determined Villanueva initiated the incident as he stood on the 1100 block of Cummins and began firing a handgun at people in a front yard. Hamilton said Villanueva was helped by a man named Ray Martinez.
Hamilton said at that point, Moniz went into his home and came out with a shotgun, returning fire. Villanueva was fatally struck and Martinez was seriously wounded, said Hamilton.
Police investigators learned both men had ties to the Broderick Boys street gang and that they had threatened residents the day before, Hamilton said.
Moniz appeared in a Yolo County Superior Courtroom Friday and was told there were no charges against him. He was allowed to leave court a free man.
"Why is nothing happening? He's walking free?" questioned Villanueva's fiance, Natalie Murphey. "He (Villanueva) wasn't a bad man, he had the biggest heart out of aonyone you'll ever see he has three children now that don't have a father. They have to grow up and he (Moniz) gets to walk free. It's not right."
Murphey admitted that Villanueva had gang ties in the past and had spent time in prison but said he had put that part of his life behind him.
Wednesday evening's events appeared to be a continuation of an ongoing dispute among residents, said Hamilton.
The district attorney's office concluded Moniz acted in self defense and for the protection of others.
News10/KXTV
