OAKLAND — Danery Quinonez-Vasquez has pleaded no contest to the killing of Mitchell Monroe and is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence.
Despite the plea, many details surrounding the 2023 homicide remain unanswered, raising the possibility that they may never be fully resolved.
Quinonez-Vasquez, aged 29, stands as the sole suspect charged in the case.
Monroe, who was 27 and resided in Antioch, was fatally shot at approximately 4 a.m. on May 6, 2023, near the Keller Avenue exit on Interstate 580 in Oakland.
Earlier that night, Monroe had expressed his anger towards two individuals, one of whom was briefly arrested according to court documents.
In the hours leading up to his death, Monroe engaged in a heated exchange with his significant other, accusing her of infidelity.
Initially denying the accusation, the woman later informed police that she had been with a 30-year-old man on the evening of May 5, as noted in court filings.
The situation escalated into a series of furious text messages even into the early morning hours of the 6th.
In his final message to the woman, Monroe sent a profane insult and proclaimed, “he can have you.”
Authorities believe Monroe then attempted to confront the man, driving from Antioch to Oakland in pursuit.
The 30-year-old man allegedly contacted Quinonez-Vasquez during this drive, with police suggesting that Quinonez-Vasquez had prior knowledge of Monroe’s intended route.
Quinonez-Vasquez later admitted to having instructed the man to exit at Keller Avenue, where he then waited to ambush Monroe.
He opened fire on Monroe’s vehicle, resulting in the fatal shooting.
Monroe left behind two daughters, as well as a legacy remembered by those who knew him.
An online fundraiser established in his memory describes him as a “kind and compassionate soul” with an infectious smile and unwavering positivity.
The tribute emphasizes that his legacy will live on through his daughters, who will forever share a part of him.
Following the shooting, the 30-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of murder but was released after being questioned.
He described observing a vehicle aggressively tailgating him while en route to Oakland, which caused him fear and led him to call Quinonez-Vasquez for help.
Quinonez-Vasquez was arrested on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, a charge involving planning with others to execute a killing.
However, he was ultimately only charged with murder.
A plea deal finalized in April saw the murder charge against Quinonez-Vasquez dropped, allowing him to plead no contest to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for a reduced 15-year sentence.
He was transferred to North Kern State Prison in May and continues to serve his sentence there.
Court records indicate that Quinonez-Vasquez received credit for the two years he spent in jail while awaiting trial.
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