Defendant Convicted of Antelope Shooting Murder

DATE: November 13, 2025

CASE: Randall Watanabe (Case #23FE006822)

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

On November 7, 2025, Randall 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.

Watanabe faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is set for December 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 32 before the Honorable James Arguelles.