Gang Members Sentenced for Senselessly Shooting a Terrorized Bicyclist Riding for his Life
Photo: David Avina
SAN BERNARDINO – Aureliano Mendez (21) and David Avina (29), criminal street gang members of Fontana, were each handed a 50 years-to-life sentence in state prison for shooting bicyclist Guy Estrada, then leaving him to die in the middle of the road.
San Bernardino District Attorney announced Monday’s guilty findings regarding the April 2nd charges for “one count of first degree murder and one count of street terrorism. The jury also found true firearm and criminal street gang allegations.”
Aureliano Mendez
Deputy DA Robbins stated, “During the trial, it was noted that both defendants wanted to shoot the victim, a random man on a bike.”
Also noted, “Mendez indicated that Avina first shot at the victim but missed before they ultimately pursued him in Avina’s Lexus, while the victim ‘rode for his life’ on the bicycle. Mendez also noted that he held the steering wheel so that Avina could shoot and kill the victim.”
Deputy DA Robbins added, “The defendant Mendez described how he and Avina laughed about the incident, before driving around the block to ensure the victim was dead.”
The duo “then led Fontana PD officers on a dangerous pursuit from Fontana to San Bernardino. Accompanied by passenger Mendez in his Lexus sedan, Avina and Mendez were wanted in connection with a separate murder out of Fontana, believed to be gang-related and involving the Lexus sedan, based on an April 19, 2015 incident.” Officers located a SKS rifle in the trunk of Avina’s vehicle.
District Attorney Mike Ramos declared, “I am proud of the work our Gang Unit is doing every day to hold these local terrorists responsible for their actions. With the help of all our law enforcement partners and the Board of Supervisors, we will continue our fight. We won’t back down.”
