Several holes outside of a Solano Road home in West Sacramento show where bullets entered as 13-year-old Alize Valadez was lying on the couch. It is likely the teen had no idea what was coming when a bullet hit her in the head. Now West Sacramento police believe they have the man that pulled the trigger.
"I think they did good because the person who shot her should go to jail for life," said Roberto Diaz, a classmate of Alize.
Police picked up Sonny Martinez, 39, in Stockton, charging him with attempted murder for the Saturday night shooting. A gang enhancement has also been added to the charge which means Martinez could have possible gang ties. However, Alize's family are having a hard time figuring out what connection a Stockton man could have to them.
"We don't know nobody from Stockton, so that is what's really a mystery," said a cousin. "Why a house in West Sacramento, especially that an old lady and child lives at," he asked.
The arrest is giving this family little comfort as they struggle to know why.
"Just because they caught the guy, doesn't mean this is over with," said Desiree Valadez, sister of the victim. "We need to know why and who and what his motive was. Why he would come target my little sister and my grandmother," she said.
While this arrest has been a big break in the case, the prognosis for Alize hasn't been as promising.
"If you are listening you ruined my 13-year-old sister's life," Valadez said to Martinez. "Because she will never be the same again, she'll never be the same again," she cried.
Alize is on life support with serious brain swelling and possible damage. Her family said if she wakes up, they've been told she would not be the girl they know. Signs wishing the teen a speedy recover cover the family's garage. Prayer candles sat below as a family fearing the worst, hold on to hope.
"We all miss her," said Diaz. "All her friends and I hope she pulls through," he said.
West Sacramento police said this is an active and ongoing investigation. They aren't saying much about Martinez or how he became their prime suspect. Martinez has been in trouble before, facing kidnapping and drugs charges in the past. He was being held in the Yolo County jail without bail.
