A jury convicted Gary Owens for the murder of Ronisha Cook, a passenger riding in a vehicle, in the Tenderloin in 2019
San Francisco, CA – Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that her office secured a second-degree murder (PC 187(a)) conviction of Gary Owens (42) after trial by jury. The jury also found true allegations that the murder involved the personal use of a firearm (PC 12022.53(d)) and firing at an occupied vehicle (PC 12022.53(d)). Mr. Owens was also convicted of attempted murder (PC 664/187) with a firearms allegation (PC 12022.53(c) also found to be true. Owens shot and killed Ms. Cook, a passenger in a moving car, from a car he was riding in shortly before midnight on December 19, 2019. The driver of the vehicle she was riding in was not hurt in the shooting. The killing occurred near the intersection of Leavenworth Street and Ellis Street in the Tenderloin.
“Mr. Owens will now face consequences for this unprovoked, cold-blooded killing of a beloved mother and community member,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “This verdict sends a clear message that San Franciscans will not tolerate gun violence in our community and seek to hold perpetrators accountable.”
The case against Mr. Owens was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan King with assistance from paralegals Jessica Diamond and Tony Yu and IT support from Morris Moore and Ada Yu. Victim Advocate Jovan Thomas worked closely with the victim’s family throughout the case. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Owens based on the careful investigative work performed by the San Francisco Police Department’s Homicide investigators.
“I want to thank the jury for their time and service in reaching this decision,” said Assistant District Attorney Ryan King. “Ronisha Cook was beloved by her family. I hope that this verdict brings them a sense of closure and justice.”
Mr. Owens has been in custody since his arrest on October 27, 2020. He faces more than 40 years to life in State Prison. Sentencing will be scheduled on July 10, 2023.
Court Number: 20011513
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