King County prosecutors charged Jose Cruz Victorino with second-degree murder and a firearm enhancement Friday in the fatal shooting of a man inside a Renton grocery store earlier this week.
Victorino is accused of shooting and killing Olazcon Padilla, 35, inside Los Jalapenos Grocery Store on Tuesday. Prosecutors allege the attack was unprovoked and followed a confrontation in which Victorino terrorized customers, used hateful language, and attempted to physically intimidate and assault Padilla, who was a patron at the store.
According to charging documents, the confrontation escalated when Victorino allegedly fired 10 rounds from a 9mm semiautomatic handgun at Padilla. Prosecutors say most of the shots were fired while Padilla was on the ground and defenseless. Padilla suffered 10 gunshot wounds, including multiple wounds to his arms as he tried to shield himself. After the shooting, Victorino allegedly re-approached Padilla, yelling and gesturing at him as he lay dying.
Prosecutors argue the severity of the violence shows Victorino poses a danger of committing further violent offenses. They are requesting bail be set at $3 million, citing a high risk that Victorino would fail to return to court. Charging documents state Victorino has a lengthy misdemeanor criminal history and a pattern of failing to appear for court hearings, with multiple warrants issued in recent years across several courts.
Prosecutors also allege Victorino fled the scene the night of the shooting despite being ordered to remain by officers at gunpoint. Victorino remains in custody. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom GA at the Maleng Regional Justice Center. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The shooting occurred at Los Jalapenos Grocery Store, a neighborhood market serving Renton’s Latino community. The unprovoked nature of the attack and the use of hateful language during the confrontation have raised questions about whether hate crime enhancements should be considered, though prosecutors have not filed such charges at this time.
