VISALIA, Calif. — A man has been sentenced to life in prison for a murder that took place in 2023, the district attorney’s office announced.
On April 8, 2023, Visalia Police responded to a shooting inside a convenience store on Northeast 3rd Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found a man in a wheelchair who had been shot five times. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but later died.
Witnesses reported seeing a man fleeing the scene toward a nearby home. Officers identified 32-year-old Carlos Ayala leaving from the back of that residence. When confronted, Ayala was uncooperative and was detained.
During the investigation, police recovered a firearm and ammunition matching the casings found at the scene. Evidence also revealed a history of conflict between Ayala’s family and the victim.
On August 19, 2025, Ayala pleaded no contest to second-degree murder with the use of a firearm. He was sentenced to life in prison and must serve at least 25 years before becoming eligible for parole.
