Man sentenced to over 3 decades for ‘random’ attempted murder in Fort Collins
DENVER (KDVR) — A man was sentenced Tuesday for shooting a stranger in February 2023 in what prosecutors called a “random and unprovoked act of violence.”
Jorge Antonio Arreola, 35, was sentenced on May 21 to 32 years in the Department of Corrections after he was found guilty by a jury on March 27 of one count of attempted murder and a sentence enhancer of a violent crime using a weapon. The eight-day trial started on March 19.
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“The evidence in this case is overwhelming, it is really one of the most brazen acts I’ve seen,” said Judge Daniel McDonald before he sentenced Arreola, according to the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. “I have to agree with the prosecution and say that there is no evidence that has been presented that warrants reducing this sentence by even a single hour.”
The shooting took place at about 5:15 a.m. on Feb. 21, 2023, when a man was driving in the area of East Mulberry Street and Airpark Drive. He told investigators that a white pickup truck pulled up next to him and fired shots. The victim drove to a nearby store where the staff called for help.
According to prosecutors, the bullet entered and exited the victim’s neck, shattering his car window in the process. Arreola was identified through surveillance video and shell casings were found in his vehicle that matched the gun used in the shooting.
During Tuesday’s sentencing, a deputy district attorney argued that the jury verdict proved Arreola was aware of his actions.
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“This may have been a different situation if this was Mr. Arreola’s first violent offense, but this is not a case of a young naïve boy. This isn’t even a case of someone who was not given resources for rehabilitation,” the prosecutor said.
The victim has made a full recovery from the shooting and testified at trial.
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