A California judge on Tuesday approved a request by Charles Williams, the gunman responsible for a 2001 school shooting in San Diego, to be resentenced. This judicial decision opens the possibility that Williams, currently serving a 50-years-to-life term, could be released after 23 years behind bars.
Williams, who was only 15 years old when he opened fire at Santana High School on March 5, 2001, admitted to fatally shooting two students and injuring 13 others. His weapon was a revolver owned by his father. Initially, the court sentenced him to life in prison with parole eligibility set decades later.
Following the judge’s ruling, Williams' case will be reassigned to a juvenile court. This shift means he could be freed immediately from prison without the standard parole supervision or evaluation. However, the San Diego County District Attorney's office stated that prosecutors intend to contest this ruling at the appellate level, seeking to prevent his release.
District Attorney Summer Stephan emphasized the prosecutorial commitment to championing victims' justice and ensuring community safety. She remarked that Williams’ severe sentence remains justified given the severity of his crimes: "At some point our laws must balance the rights of defendants, the rights of victims, and the rights of the community to be safe."
Attempts to obtain comment from Williams’ attorney were not successful at the time of reporting.
The two students killed in the shooting were Bryan Zuckor, age 14, and Randy Gordon, age 17. The attack also wounded 11 students and two members of the school staff.
Now 39 years old, Williams is incarcerated at the California Institution for Men in Chino. He became eligible for parole in September 2024 but was denied. The parole board judged him an "unreasonable risk to public safety" and expressed uncertainty about whether Williams fully comprehends the reasons behind his actions during the shooting.
According to prosecutors, the transfer of Williams’ case to juvenile court will include a disposition hearing. Because he was a minor at the time of the offense, his convictions will be redesignated as juvenile "true findings." This change in classification will result in his release from prison and potentially placement on juvenile probation.
The ability for Williams to seek resentencing stems from legislation enacted in 2011, which allowed juvenile offenders sentenced to life without parole the opportunity for resentencing. A 2022 appeals court decision further expanded eligibility to those whose sentences are considered the "functional equivalent" of life without parole.