Joseph Almanza was 19 when he was killed in a drive-by shooting at a house birthday party in South Sacramento on June 6, 2020. The party was for a rival gang member and multiple gang members were present; five guns were fired and investigators recovered 45 shell casings. Four other people were wounded in the exchange of gunfire.

Surveillance showed a vehicle near the scene just before and after the shooting; forensic evidence later linked that vehicle and suspects to the crime. DNA was reported on shell casings, and a firearm recovered about six weeks after the shooting was matched to one set of casings. Authorities arrested Julian Brown and Anthony Smith roughly 18 months after the attack and charged them with first-degree murder and multiple counts of discharging a firearm from a vehicle, with gang and great bodily injury enhancements. Both were convicted at trial, with sentencing set for May 26, 2023 before Judge Delbert Oros.

Joseph’s family remembered his infectious laughter and a budding rap career. Does anyone have additional information about Joseph, the party, or the investigation that could add context to what happened that night?