A man accused of firing multiple shots outside St. Augustine Catholic Church in South San Francisco is set to stand trial, a prosecutor said.
The selection process for 12 jurors and alternates began Wednesday, and they will decide the fate of Debari Charvel Augustine, Chief Deputy District Attorney Shin-Mee Chang said. Opening statements are estimated to start Monday, Chang said.
Augustine, 24, of Antioch, is being charged with eight felonies, including two counts of attempted murder. He is accused of shooting at the church with an unregistered and illegal assault rifle on Jan. 30, 2024, and faces up to a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted, Chang said.
The church was closed at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2024, with two female parishioners locked inside, according to Chang. Augustine allegedly tried to force his way inside before firing multiple shots outside the church, Chang said.
The two women hid and called 911. Police found a rifle leaning against a statue of St. Michael. Officers used license plate readers to find the car Augustine was driving and arrested him that same day.
Augustine was found eligible for mental health diversion, but his attorney decided not to pursue a hearing, according to Chang.