Who is Joseph Jimenez?
THE alleged “Purge” shooter Joseph Jimenez has been charged after two teens were fatally shot in a movie theater.
The shocking attack took place during an evening showing of the fifth installment of the Purge franchise.
Who is Joseph Jimenez?
Joseph Jimenez, 20, is accused of shooting two teenagers at a cinema in Corona, Southern California during a screening of The Forever Purge on July 26, 2021.
He is believed to have been one of the just six ticket holders for the 9.35pm showing of the dystopian action film at the Regal Edwards Corona Crossings, California.
Jimenez has been charged with murder and attempted murder and added sentence enhancements for using a firearm to cause death and injury.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office also filed a further special circumstance allegation of lying in wait.
Jimenez was taken into custody while cops searched his home, where they reportedly found a handgun of the same caliber as the weapon believed to have been used in the double shooting.
The 20-year-old, who has no previous adult criminal record, is being held on a $2million bond.
He is said to be a resident of an area in Corona known as El Cerrito and attended Home Gardens Academy from 2006 to 2015.
Jimenez then attended Santiago High from 2015 to 2019 before graduating, Evita Tapia-Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for the Corona-Norco Unified School District, said.
He is not believed to have known the victims in what police described as an “unprovoked” attack.
What happened in the Anthony Barajas shooting?
TikTok star Anthony Barajas, 19, was at the cinema on a date with Rylee Goodrich, 18, when they were both shot.
He was shot in the eye at the movie theater and passed away on July 31, 2021 after spending nearly a week on life support in hospital.
Barajas managed to swerve after he heard the first gunshot before a second bullet hit him in the eye.
Goodrich was fatally shot in the head at “point-blank” range and died at the scene.
The tragic cheerleader had been texting her mother that the movie was boring just minutes before she was killed by the suspect, Joseph Jimenez.
Police say her wallet was also stolen by Jimenez after he allegedly gunned her down.
The pair were found by staff who were cleaning up after the movie had finished.
Grieving dad David Goodrich told Fox11: “It was their first date. And a boy her dad actually approved of.”
Could Joseph Jimenez be given the death penalty?
Jimenez could face the death penalty if convicted of the fatal double shooting.
Most read in News
The Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin announced that the special circumstance allegation of lying in wait makes the suspect eligible for execution if prosecutors decide to pursue that punishment at trial.
Jimenez did not enter a plea in his first court hearing and his arraignment was postponed until August 5.
He will face at least life without parole if he is convicted of what he is currently charged.