Francisco Contreras (dob 9/23/85), who shot and killed a 42-year-old man in July of 2022, has been sentenced to life in prison for First Degree Murder. Contreras was also given 4-20 years to run consecutive for a Deadly Weapons Enhancement.
Officers with Sparks Police were called to a bar on Prater Way on July 15, 2022 following a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found the victim deceased in the men’s room with a gunshot wound to the head. While speaking with witnesses on scene, police discovered that Contreras was friendly with the victim and had ordered drinks for them. However, when the victim declined, the defendant became angry and then the pair got into an argument. Contreras asked the victim if they could speak together outside of the bar area, and the men went towards the restroom, where the defendant shot and killed the man.
Five hours after SPD arrived at the scene, Contreras turned himself in to police. He subsequently pled guilty to the charge of First Degree Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon. At sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Adam Cate represented the State, and touched on how the evidence established that Contreras had been looking for the victim earlier that night before finding him at the bar, and then intentionally followed the victim to the restroom with the intent of harming him.
The Honorable David Hardy presided and imposed the sentence.
A recording of the press release for media can be heard below. Mug shots can be found on the WCDA Facebook and Twitter accounts.
