MODESTO, CA — A local man has been convicted of murder following a violent spree more than seven years ago, which culminated in a fatal attack in Donnelly Park, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office confirmed. Shaun Mark Santos, a 29-year-old from Modesto, is now facing a life sentence after being found guilty of the murder of 21-year-old Cameron Tracy from Patterson, in addition to numerous robberies.
The decisive verdict arrived after a trial that revisited the harrowing events of late 2017, linking Santos and three other individuals to a series of aggressive robberies. On December 4, 2017, Santos along with his accomplices targeted unsuspecting visitors at Donnelly Park in Turlock. Using a replica firearm to intimidate their victims, the assailants brutally assaulted Tracy, striking him repeatedly with a metal bat after coercing him and his girlfriend to hand over their valuables.
Tracy succumbed to his injuries after enduring nine days in the hospital, leaving a community to mourn and rally for justice. His girlfriend, who managed to flee the attackers, was pivotal in signaling authorities by calling 911. The items stolen from Tracy, which included an Apple watch, car keys, and cellphone, were later emphasized by prosecutors to underline the trivial gains compared to the grave losses inflicted.
Investigators promptly commenced a multifaceted investigation, quickly identifying a suspect vehicle spotted in surveillance footage — a white 2004 Kia Sedona with Nevada plates. This lead allowed a coordinated effort between Turlock and Manteca police officials, alongside the California Highway Patrol and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department, to apprehend the culprits in Stockton.
The suspects, including Santos, Lavinia Perez, and two teenagers aged 16 and 15 at the time of arrest, were found with items linking them to the crime spree. Moreover, replica handguns were also discovered within the vehicle, further connecting them to the allegations of armed robbery.
This series of robberies happened not in isolation but as part of an extended period of similar incidents across Turlock that autumn. Victims in other instances detailed attacks and thefts under threats of violence, mirroring the aggressive tactics experienced by Tracy and his girlfriend.
During subsequent legal proceedings, issues such as youth sentencing and legislative changes came to the forefront. Changes in the state’s felony murder law under SB 1437, which restrict how accomplices can be charged, influenced sentencing outcomes for the younger defendants involved. Terry Van Meter, involved in the case at age 18 from Manteca, faced a different fate, being sentenced in 2020 to six years for voluntary manslaughter, robbery, and attempted robbery.
The outcomes of these trials have prompted discussions within the community and among legal experts about the implications of SB 1437, especially regarding accountability and justice for violent crimes when multiple suspects are involved.
As for other suspects, while Perez’s case saw movements in court as recently as 2024, the final outcome remains unspecified currently, encapsulating a long and complex judicial journey stemming from a night that shook the city of Turlock and its residents.