Man Found Guilty in Fatal Shooting at Party
A 21-year-old man was found guilty Thursday of killing a man and wounding his brother at a party in an unincorporated area of Whittier last year.
Jason Viramontes shot Ismael and Victor Lopez in February 1999 after the three got into an altercation at a house party. They were among a group of people who had gathered in the garage to rap to music.
“Jason bumped into Ismael Lopez, Ismael turned around and they started exchanging words,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Jose Luis Arias. “While they were exchanging words, Victor Lopez came around, grabbed Jason Viramontes and pushed him into the DJ system.”
According to Arias, Viramontes then pulled out a 9-millimeter handgun and fired seven rounds at the brothers, killing Victor, 28, and wounding Ismael, 25.
Viramontes was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted murder, and faces 40 years to life in prison. He will be sentenced June 15.
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