Justice moves slowly, but for the families of four victims in Ventura County, it finally arrived this week. A man who thought he could settle every argument with a gun learned that his choices have officially cost him his freedom forever.

WHAT HAPPENED

According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, 27-year-old Kristian Fonseca was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His sentence includes an additional 114 years to life for a spree of violence that spanned two years.

In 2019, Fonseca approached two men at a food truck in Ventura and asked them, "Where are you from?" before opening fire with a shotgun. Though the victims were not gang members, one suffered life-altering injuries.

Just one year later, Fonseca got into a physical fight at a gathering in Santa Paula. After the fight, he grabbed a gun and executed two men, Jose Estrada and Daniel Zuniga, while wounding a third. Evidence showed he continued to fire at the victims even after they had fallen to the ground.

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WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS

2 lives were taken: Jose Estrada and Daniel Zuniga.

• 10 shell casings were found near the victims in the 2020 double-murder.

• 4 shotgun shells were recovered from the first shooting in 2019.

• 114 years was the additional time added to his life sentence.

• 3 days is how long it took police to catch Fonseca after the second shooting.

Fonseca was already under investigation for a violent shooting when he committed a double-murder. It forces us to ask how many "red flags" were visible before the second tragedy happened.

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THE OTHER SIDE

According to court records, Fonseca’s defense had to answer for two separate incidents with multiple witnesses and surveillance video. While a defendant always has the right to argue their innocence, the jury found all special allegations, including the intentional discharge of a firearm to be true.

Because Fonseca continued to fire at close range while his victims were already down, the argument for a lighter sentence was almost non-existent. The judge's decision to add 114 years on top of a life sentence shows that the court viewed his actions as exceptionally cruel and premeditated.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

Kristian Fonseca will be transferred to a state prison where he will stay until he dies. For the families of Estrada and Zuniga, the legal battle is finally over, though the "devastation" mentioned by prosecutors will last a lifetime.

For the community of Santa Paula, this sentence removes a violent offender from the streets. Local police say this case should serve as a warning that they will continue to track down those who think they can avoid accountability for gang-related violence.

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WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

Where is the 9mm firearm used in the 2020 murders? It was never found.

• Who were the two people with Fonseca during the first shooting in 2019?
• Will this sentence lead to more information regarding the "tagging crew" Fonseca was affiliated with?