A teenager has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing a partygoer at a quinceañera in Clayton County in 2019. Jorge Beltran, who was 17 years old at the time, was found guilty of picking a fight and shooting 27-year-old Juan Perez Salazar. The incident occurred on November 17, 2019, during a birthday celebration. Beltran’s sentencing was announced by the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office.
Court records reveal that Jorge Beltran, now 19, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for the shooting death of Juan Perez Salazar. The tragic incident took place during a quinceañera, a traditional coming-of-age celebration, on November 17, 2019. Beltran was found guilty of instigating a verbal altercation with Perez Salazar, which ultimately led to the fatal shooting.
According to prosecutors, Perez Salazar attempted to defuse the argument and intervene in a fight between Beltran and another individual. Surveillance footage from the Oasis Event Center, where the celebration was held, captured the entire incident, aiding in the identification of Beltran despite his attempt to flee the scene.
Beltran claimed self-defense, but the jury returned a guilty verdict on July 14th, as confirmed by the district attorney’s office. The evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that Beltran escalated the argument by brandishing a gun at Perez Salazar’s face, which the victim managed to swat away. A physical altercation ensued, during which Beltran repeatedly pointed the gun at Perez Salazar. Tragically, on the third attempt, Beltran shot Perez Salazar in the lower chest at close range, resulting in his death.
The court convicted Beltran of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault. In addition to his 12-year prison sentence, he will also serve eight years on probation.