An East Hemet man who shot a relative with a high-powered rifle during a New Year’s party was sentenced Friday to 60 months felony probation.
Eduardo Javier Marroquin, 32, pleaded guilty in September to two counts each of assault with a firearm and recklessly discharging a gun, with a sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegation.
No charges were dismissed under the plea agreement, which Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mark Johnson certified. He imposed the stipulated sentence.
Along with probation, Johnson ordered Marroquin to serve nine months in a sheriff’s work release program, during which time the defendant will have to remain gainfully employed or attend school. The judge also directed him to pay victim restitution, in an amount to be determined by the Department of Probation.
Inn the predawn hours of Jan. 1, 2016, the defendant was partying with family and friends at his residence in the 24000 block of Tigris Lane when a dispute erupted, leading to a physical altercation between Marroquin and two family members. The defendant procured a large-caliber rifle — the exact type was not specified — from a bedroom and shot one of the disputants, with gunfire endangering several others, sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Duckett said.
He said the victim, whose name was not released, was located by deputies a few minutes later, sitting in front of the property with a non-life-threatening wound to the lower body. The man was taken to a Hemet-area trauma center and underwent surgery, ultimately making a full recovery.
Marroquin retreated into the residence and barricaded himself inside with other relatives, Duckett said. Sheriff’s SWAT personnel were summoned, and neighboring homes were evacuated as deputies prepared for a standoff, according to the sergeant.
After several hours of negotiations, the defendant surrendered peacefully.
Marroquin had a prior misdemeanor conviction for driving under the influence of drugs, according to court records.
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