A man who shot a Contra Costa County probation officer as she was driving home from work has been sentenced to 32 years to life in prison.
Alfonso Valeriano-Delacruz, 44, was convicted by a Sacramento Superior Court jury of seven felony counts, including discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon or firearm, causing great bodily injury to a peace officer and evading a police office by driving in a reckless manner, according to a Sacramento County District Attorney's Office news release. He was sentenced by Judge Allen H. Sumner.
In September 2009, Valeriano-Delacruz had been drinking and stocked his car with alcohol, a loaded 22-caliber rifle and additional magazines. He then went driving in search of a random victim on whom to take out his aggressions, officials said.
He came upon a Contra Costa County probation officer who was on her way home to Sacramento after spending the day working with juvenile offenders and their families. For unknown reasons, Valeriano-Delacruz began to purse the woman, a total stranger, who became terrified and tried to evade him.
At a red light, he pulled up alongside of her and fired his rifle, hitting her in the neck. He paused to look inside her vehicle where she feigned death. He then sped off.
Good Samaritans came to the woman's aid and notified law enforcement officers, who pursued and captured Valeriano-Delacruz.
The victim survived her gunshot wound, but still suffers from chronic pain and nightmares, officials said.
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