Defendant Sentenced for Antelope Shooting Murder

DATE: December 12, 2025

CASE: Randall Watanabe (Case #23FE006822)

PROSECUTOR: Supervising Deputy District Attorney Casey Newton, Major Crimes Unit

The Honorable James Arguelles sentenced Randall Watanabe to life in prison without the possibility of parole. On November 7, 2025, Watanabe was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder with the special circumstance that murder was committed in the commission of an attempted robbery found true. Watanabe was also convicted of attempted robbery, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and discharge of a firearm at an inhabited vehicle. The jury also found true allegations that Watanabe personally discharged a firearm causing death and personally used a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Randall Watanabe met with the victim, Antonio Chacon, at a park in Antelope to conduct a drug sale. During the meeting, Watanabe produced a gun and attempted to rob the victim. When the victim tried to drive away, Watanabe shot him in the back causing the victim to crash his car. The victim died at the scene.