A jury on Tuesday found a man guilty of attempted murder after firing shoots outside St. Augustine Catholic Church in South San Francisco, a prosecutor said.
Debari Charvel Augustine was convicted of seven felonies and faces over 50 years in prison, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
Augustine, 24, of Antioch, was convicted of seven felonies, including two counts of attempted murder, premeditated murder and assault. He is accused of shooting at the church with an unregistered and illegal assault rifle on Jan. 30, 2024.
Augustine’s attorney, Brandon Douglass, told jurors that there was not enough evidence to prove he wanted to shoot the two female parishioners locked in the church. Douglass admitted Augustine was the shooter, but argued that he should only be prosecuted for firing at the building and vandalism, the DA said.
The church was closed at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, with two female parishioners locked inside, according to Wagstaffe. Augustine tried to force his way inside before firing multiple shots outside the church, Wagstaffe said.
Deputy District Attorney Dominique Davis said there was no way Augustine did not intentionally shoot at the two women because they saw each other.
The two women saw Augustine before hiding and Augustine shot in their direction, according to Davis.
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 remains in jail and is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday to set a sentencing date.
Augustine was found eligible for mental health diversion, but his attorney decided not to pursue a hearing, according to Wagstaffe.