A man was sentenced Wednesday to 50 years to life in state prison in connection with the apparent gang-related shooting death of an innocent bystander who was struck by gunfire in Long Beach.
Superior Court Judge James Otto imposed an additional 17 years and eight months in prison for 28-year-old Tyquan Benson, a resident of Long Beach. Benson was found guilty on July 21 of first-degree murder and other charges stemming from the shooting on December 4, 2019, resulting in the death of Alejandra Martinez.
In addition to first-degree murder, Benson was convicted of attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, shooting from a motor vehicle, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He had a prior burglary conviction from 2014.
A co-defendant, 33-year-old Jacquise Wright, is currently awaiting trial on the same charges after a mistrial was declared in his case due to a personal emergency for his attorney.
According to the Long Beach Police Department, detectives believe the shooting stemmed from a gang-related dispute and the victim, Alejandra Martinez, was not the intended target. A female juvenile was also injured but recovered.
During sentencing, Judge Otto described the events as “totally unnecessary” and “a terrible crime.” He emphasized that Benson will have to live with the consequences of his actions.
Alejandra Martinez, a 36-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot in a parking lot near Magnolia Avenue and Anaheim Street while stopping at a taco truck after work, according to Deputy District Attorney Robert Song.
“Because of Mr. Benson and Mr. Wright, she is dead,” the prosecutor stated in court.
The victim’s husband’s testimony about being left to raise their children alone was described as “heart-wrenching” by Song.
Benson’s defense attorney, Theida Salazar, argued that her client did not seek out any confrontation and described him as a young man fearful for his own safety.
Salazar pointed out that Benson was not there to take a life but to eat. She also mentioned that Benson experienced the loss of his biological father to murder at a young age and has been diagnosed with psychosis, hallucinations, and anti-social behavior.
Wright and Benson were arrested approximately two and a half months after the shooting and have been in custody since then. Following the sentencing, Benson’s attorney described the situation as “very unfortunate.” She noted the loss suffered by the victim’s family and the potential lifelong consequences faced by her client.
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