Corona Movie Theater Shooting: Man Convicted to Life for Killing 2 California Teenagers

On Monday, Joseph Jimenez Jr., a 23-year-old guy, was convicted to life imprisonment without the probability of parole for the catastrophic shooting of two teenagers at a Southern California movie theater during a 2021 screening of "The Forever Purge."

Jimenez was found guilty in December for two counts of first-degree murder, along with a sentencing enrichment for the personal use of a firearm causing passing.

Two Teenagers Shot at Corona Movie Theater

The occurrence took place on July 26, 2021, at a theater in Corona, southeast of Los Angeles, where Jimenez shot Rylee Goodrich, 18, and Anthony Barajas, 19, at the back of the head during a late-night show of the fright-action film.

The victims were the only other individuals present in the theater. Goodrich died at the scene, while Barajas, a rising social media personality, passed away at a hospital.

Initially pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, Jimenez was announced sane in December by Superior Court Judge Timothy J. Hollenhorst. In a penitentiary interview with the Riverside Press-Enterprise, Jimenez disclosed that he had lately been determined with schizophrenia but had stopped taking his medication just before the shooting due to running out of pills.

He claimed that shooting the victims was the only way he believed he could save himself.

Devastating Impact on the Teenager Victims' Families

Brian Barajas, holding a photo of his son, Anthony Barajas, and a card with a thumbprint from the hospital bed where Anthony lay dying, sat at the prosecution table in Riverside Superior Court.

He spoke about Joseph Jimenez Jr.'s choices, referring to Jimenez's choice to purchase a gun for protection against alleged threats from schizophrenia-induced voices, the choice to stop taking his medication, and the choice to bring the gun to a Corona movie theater on July 26, 2021.

Jimenez, facing these accusations, was sentenced by Judge Timothy J. Hollenhorst on February 26 to life in state prison without parole for the murders of Rylee Goodrich and Anthony Barajas.

Additional sentencing included 100 years to life, with 25 to life for each murder and 25 to life for using a firearm in a felony. Jimenez, who did not face the death penalty, offered a brief apology expressing regret for his actions.

Barajas criticized Jimenez for stealing the lives of two young people, and although Jimenez claimed his actions were driven by fear and defense, the prosecution argued that he knowingly chose to kill the victims.

Hollenhorst, in his sentencing, expressed sympathy to Jimenez's family but noted the lack of remorse from the defendant, stating that Jimenez appeared incapable of feeling remorse.

Goodrich's parents were not present, with her grandmother mentioning their broken hearts. Friends spoke about the devastating impact on their lives, emphasizing the kindness and compassion of the victims.

Catherine Barajas, Anthony's mother, spoke about the loss and how Jimenez's choices shattered their family.

The incident occurred during a screening of "The Forever Purge," where Goodrich died in the theater, and Barajas, a TikTok influencer, passed away after organ donation.

Jimenez, diagnosed with schizophrenia, claimed he heard threatening voices, leading to his actions.

The judge ruled Jimenez sane, and despite defense arguments about his mental state, evidence showed conscious guilt after the murders.

Hollenhorst, emotionally connecting the case to his father's recent death, highlighted the tragedy of children dying before their parents and the lifelong impact on grieving families.