MODESTO, Calif. — After more than seven years since a tragic and violent robbery that led to the death of a young man in Donnelly Park, a Modesto resident has been found guilty of murder. A Stanislaus County jury convicted 29-year-old Shaun Mark Santos for the 2017 killing of 21-year-old Cameron Tracy from Patterson, coupled with several other robbery charges. Santos, potentially facing a life sentence, is set to receive his sentence on April 5, according to local prosecutors.
The events leading to Santos’ conviction began in November 2017 when he, alongside three other accomplices, embarked on a spree of robberies. The culminating incident occurred on December 4, 2017, at Donnelly Park in Turlock, where Santos and his group, including minors, preyed on unsuspecting park-goers.
During the incident, Santos and his associates forced Tracy and his girlfriend to disrobe under the threat of a replica firearm. In a devastating escalation, Santos attacked Tracy from behind with a metal bat, striking him multiple times in the head. Although Tracy’s girlfriend managed to escape and alert authorities, Tracy succumbed to his injuries nine days later in the hospital, after battling severe head trauma.
Turlock police quickly moved into action following the crime. Investigators pinpointed a 2004 white Kia Sedona with Nevada plates through surveillance footage captured near the scene. This crucial finding led detectives, with support from Manteca Police and other law enforcement agencies, to locate and halt the suspects in Stockton. Santos, Lavinia Perez, and two teenagers were arrested without resistance and detained, with stolen items and replica guns found in their vehicle.
In the weeks prior to the fatal attack, this group was linked to additional robberies in Turlock. One victim reported being assaulted by the gang after refusing to hand over his belongings in the park. Another described being thrown to the ground and kicked, with robbers subsequently menacing another woman with a gun to steal her purse and phone. The stolen credit cards were later used in nearby cities, further implicating the group in the crimes.
Legal proceedings from these events led to varying sentences for those involved. In 2020, one of the teens, tried as an adult under his real name, Terry Van Meter, received a six-year term for voluntary manslaughter and robbery, reflecting a shift in legal interpretations tied to the state’s revised felony murder law, which limits murder charges to those who directly partake in or intend to commit murder.
While Van Meter benefited from earned time credit, reflecting the days he had already served, the younger of the teens faced his proceedings in juvenile court kept confidential owing to his age. Meanwhile, Perez faced charges for her role in the murder and robberies, with her legal outcomes still pending after subsequent hearings.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these violent acts, questions about youth involvement in crime, the consequences of harsh sentencing, and the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing such tragedies remain prevalent. The resolution of these cases might offer a grim reflection of the troubling dynamics leading young individuals into cycles of violence and crime. The sentence awaiting Santos next month will likely serve as a somber reminder of the long-lasting impact such actions hold for all involved.