A 39-year-old man, Efren Sanchez, was sentenced to an astonishing 1,016 years in prison on Friday after being convicted for firing 28 rounds at a Greeley bar in 2022. The shooting, which he carried out after feeling “disrespected” by another patron, left two people injured and caused chaos and fear among those present.
What Happened That Night
On August 13, 2022, Sanchez left Rancho el Corazon bar after an argument with another patron. He returned shortly after, wearing a mask and armed with a rifle. He then fired 28 rounds at people inside and outside the bar, targeting 25 people in total. Fortunately, no one was killed, but two individuals were injured in the attack.
The Court’s Decision
In April 2023, a Weld County jury convicted Sanchez of 50 counts of attempted murder, with two counts for each person present at the bar that night. During the sentencing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia emphasized the lasting impact on the victims, saying that their lives were forever altered by Sanchez’s reckless actions.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Vincente Vigil handed down the lengthy sentence, giving Sanchez 48 years in prison for the two people who were injured and 40 years for each of the 23 others who were present. The total sentence adds up to 1,016 years.
The Impact on Victims
At the sentencing, one of the victims read a statement, explaining how the shooting had severely affected her life. She described suffering from panic attacks and living in constant fear, which had left her with no social life.
Judge Vigil acknowledged the psychological trauma caused by Sanchez’s actions, expressing his disbelief that no one died in the shooting.
“There was no need to get anything close to this,” Judge Vigil said. “I’m shocked nobody died.”
Reflection on the Crime
Sanchez’s actions have left deep scars on the victims and the community. His reckless behavior has resulted in a life sentence not just for himself, but also for those whose lives were forever changed by the traumatic experience.