Stockton - On September 23, 2024, Seth Shannon, 35, of Vacaville, was sentenced to 37 years to life in prison following his conviction for multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and witness intimidation. The verdict followed a jury trial presided over by the Honorable Judge Smalling.

Shannon was convicted of the following charges:

- 664/187 1st Degree Attempted Murder with a 12022.53 (C) enhancement

- 245 (A)(2), Assault with a Firearm

- 29800 (a)(1) X2, Felon in Possession of a Firearm

- 30305 (A)(1) X2, Felon in Possession of Ammunition

- 30605 X2, Possession of an Assault Weapon

- 4 counts of 136.1, Intimidating a Witness

- 459 2nd Degree, Commercial Burglary

- 496 (A), Possession of Stolen Property

The charges stem from a series of commercial burglaries that Shannon and his then-girlfriend committed. Following a falling out between the two, the victim in the case, who had been called to assist the girlfriend, was repeatedly targeted by Shannon. On three separate occasions, Shannon attempted to harm the victim, including one incident where he fired a gun at him. In the final encounter, Shannon used his vehicle to try and box the victim in, then fired shots at him, prompting the victim to escape by driving into a slough and swimming to safety.

Shannon was later arrested in Vacaville for driving with a suspended license. During the vehicle search, Vacaville Police discovered the disassembled assault weapon used in the shooting. A subsequent search of Shannon's residence revealed stolen property, ammunition, and a firing pin for the weapon.

While in custody, Shannon made multiple attempts to prevent testimony by contacting others to intimidate and silence both the victim and his ex-girlfriend. Despite these efforts, the victim and witnesses came forward, leading to the jury’s guilty verdict.

 San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas issued a strong statement following the verdict: 

“Gun violence, intimidation, and attempts to manipulate the justice system will never be tolerated in San Joaquin County. Seth Shannon used violence and fear to victimize others and sought to silence those brave enough to come forward. His actions were met with the full force of the law and my Office. Today’s sentencing shows that anyone who tries to terrorize our community, harm others, or subvert justice will be held accountable.”

Freitas commended Deputy District Attorney Victor Bachand for his dedication and skillful prosecution of the case. "The tireless work of DDA Bachand, in collaboration with law enforcement, has ensured that a dangerous criminal is held accountable for his actions," said Freitas. "Justice was served."

Freitas also extended his gratitude to the Honorable Judge Smalling for overseeing the case and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, with special recognition to Detectives Greg DuPriest and Allison Barsetti for their thorough investigation.

"My Office remains dedicated to upholding justice and protecting the vulnerable. The teamwork and commitment of all involved in this case reflect our mission to safeguard the people of San Joaquin County," Freitas concluded.