TikTok star Anthony Barajas who had been on life support after he and a friend were shot inside a Southern California movie theater has died, police and his family said Saturday, July 31.
On July 26, the 19-year-old was watching "The Forever Purge" at the Regal Edwards Corona Crossings in Corona, southeast of Los Angeles, with his friend, 18-year-old Rylee Goodrich, when they were shot in the head.
The teen victims were found when a worker stumbled upon them as they were cleaning up after the last showing of the night.
Goodrich was pronounced dead at the scene, and Barajas was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was placed on life support.
The attack was "completely unprovoked", Corona Police Corporal Tobias Kouroubacalis said.
"It was completely unprovoked, and the victims were shot without any kind of prior contact," Kouroubacalis said during a news conference.
The suspect, 20-year-old, Joseph Jimenez, was identified with the aid of witness accounts and an anonymous tip.
A search warrant was issued to raid his home in the 19000 block of Envoy in El Cerrito. Jimenez was arrested from his home without an incident. Police also retrieved a firearm that matched the caliber of the weapon used in the fatal shooting.
He was charged with murder in the death of Goodrich and attempted murder of Barajas, and robbery. He was being held on a $2 million bail.
Jimenez appeared in Riverside County Superior Court on Friday. His arraignment was postponed as he didn’t enter a plea.
Police were working with Riverside County prosecutors to add a second murder count against Jimenez.
If convicted as charged, Jimenez would be eligible for the death penalty. It’s not clear whether he has retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Barajas, who is known online as itsanthonymichael, had nearly a million followers on TikTok and other social media platforms.
His followers have paid tribute on the social platform.
"From his quick smile to his compassionate heart, Anthony’s presence was a gift to all who knew him," his family said in a statement.
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