Defendant Convicted of Shooting Murder at Apartment Complex Parking Lot

DATE: November 10, 2026

CASE: Anthony Abeyta (Case #26FE007444)

PROSECUTOR: Principal Criminal Attorney Aaron Miller, Homicide Unit

Robert Anthony Abeyta was convicted by a jury of the second-degree murder of William Atkins and felon in possession of a firearm. The jury also found true the allegation that Abeyta personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing Atkins' death.

On April 17, 2026, Abeyta called the sheriff's non-emergency line twice to report that Anthony Atkins was acting erratically and bothering other residents within Abeyta's apartment complex. Sheriff's deputies responded after the first call and could not locate Atkins. After the second call, Abeyta confronted Atkins in the parking lot before deputies could respond. In an altercation captured on a resident's Ring camera, Abeyta told Atkins he needed to "watch himself around here." Atkins, who was unarmed, then challenged Abeyta to a fight. Abeyta produced a 9MM handgun from his pocket and shot Atkins once in the chest, killing him. Abeyta fled the scene in his car and turned himself in the following day. Abeyta's gun was never recovered. At trial, he testified that he threw the gun in the river after shooting Atkins.

Abeyta faces a maximum sentence of 42 years to life in state prison. Sentencing is set for January 4, 2027, at 1:30 PM in Department 9B before the Honorable Michael Bowman.