Man sentenced to life without parole for shooting his in-laws in Valley Center

The man who fatally shot his father-in-law and brother-in-law in Valley Center was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 50 years.

Christian Bobila, 46, was convicted by a Vista jury earlier this year for the June 26, 2022, murders of Vicente Reyes, 79, and Vincent Reyes, 45.

Prosecutors say the killings stem from a “long-simmering family schism” following Bobila's marriage to Vicente Reyes' daughter, which occurred without Vicente Reyes' blessing.

On the day of the murders, Bobila drove from the Bay Area to the Reyes family home in Valley Center.

He first shot his brother-in-law, Vincent Reyes, three times while the victim was talking with someone on the phone, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Bobila then shot his stepfather in the head and chest in an upstairs bedroom.

Prosecutors say Bobila's wife tried to intervene, but Bobila killed his father in her presence. He then left again, but was stopped about a kilometer and a half away.

Bobila was convicted in March of two counts of first-degree murder, use of firearms and a multiple murder allegation based on special circumstances.

“This is a horrific murder that senselessly devastated an entire family,” San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement. “While there is no substitute for the deaths of both victims, I hope their surviving family members receive justice through the murder convictions and sentence handed down today.” »

–City press service