DATE: February 26, 2026
CASE: Guadalupe Valencia (Case #25FE023166)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Cody Winchester, Homicide Unit
On February 25, 2026, Guadalupe Valencia was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm. The jury also found true the allegation that Valencia personally discharged a firearm causing death.
On November 21, 2025, Valencia and the victim, Steve Guy, had a verbal altercation at the Stop-N-Save Mart in Del Paso Heights. Shortly after the altercation, the victim left the store and walked down the road away Valencia. Valencia remained in the store and called his wife to bring him a gun. Valencia then got into a car with the gun and followed the victim. When he caught up to the victim, Valencia challenged him to a gun fight. When the victim produced his own firearm, Valencia opened fire, striking the victim in the back. The victim was killed from a single gunshot to the torso. After the shooting, Valencia fled Sacramento. When local news stations reported that the victim had succumbed to his injuries, Valencia fled to Olivehurst. Law enforcement was able to locate and arrest Valencia the next day.
Valencia faces a maximum sentence of 43 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for March 25, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 24 before the Honorable Kenneth Brody.