Napa Man Sentenced To 33 Years In Prison For Shootings

NAPA, CA — A Napa man was recently sentenced to 33 years and eight months in California state prison for charges stemming from his shooting two people in January 2018.

Nicholas Angelo Zazzarino, now 30 years old, pleaded guilty to five felony charges, including two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a firearm, and one count of criminal threats, according to Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley who announced his sentencing.

Zazzarino was sentenced May 29 by Napa County Superior Court Judge Mark Boessenecker for the events that transpired the morning of Jan. 19, 2018.

Shortly after 8 a.m. Jan. 17, 2018, Zazzarino shot a 23-year-old acquaintance two times with a handgun following an argument at a Starbucks on Jefferson Street in Napa.

Zazzarino ran from the scene, and about an hour and a half later near Sutherland Park, shot a 66-year-old man in the abdomen, prosecutors said. The man had approached Zazzarino about peering into a neighbor's backyard; Zazzarino, fearing the man might call police, shot him, according to the DA's Office.

Zazzarino again took off, but was caught by Napa police officers shortly after the second shooting. When he was arrested, he reportedly had the handgun believed to be used in the shooting and several small, plastic bags containing drugs, prosecutors said.

Both shooting victims survived their gunshot wounds.

"I am thankful that we could bring justice to the victims of Mr. Zazzarino’s reckless and dangerous acts," said Deputy District Attorney Kecia Lind, who prosecuted the case. "The Napa First Responder community including the Napa Police Department, Napa Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Investigators, Fire Department, and Paramedics did an outstanding job to quickly capture the defendant before he was able to harm anyone else, and to save the lives of those who were shot.

"Their ability to work together and communicate as a team kept our community safe and ensured that this case was investigated thoroughly to hold the defendant responsible for his actions."

Zazzarino is expected to remain in custody at the Napa County jail, where he has been since Jan. 17, 2018, until the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation begins to accept new prisoners again.

"Mr. Zazzarino is the 21st prisoner awaiting transfer from the Napa County Department of Corrections to State Prison," the DA's Office said. "He will remain incarcerated in Napa until the Governor's order is lifted."

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Suspect In 2 Napa Shootings Arraigned On Multiple Charges: DA
• Napa Shootings: 2 Hospitalized; Suspect's Motive Investigated