A Colorado judge sentenced 33-year-old Jimmy Cazares to 96 years in prison after he fired 59 shots into a Greeley bar, striking a bartender in the neck. The shooting stemmed from Cazares being kicked out for fighting. Prosecutors highlighted the victims' lasting trauma.
Weld County District Court Judge Annette Kundelius imposed the 96-year sentence on Wednesday following Cazares' February conviction on two counts of attempted murder, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, criminal mischief, and drug-related charges. The maximum possible sentence was 134 years, according to the Weld County District Attorney's Office. Cazares faced up to that after the November 30, 2024, incident at Wyler's Pub and Brew in Greeley, about 60 miles northeast of Denver. Police found the bartender with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the neck, and another woman injured in the line of fire, though not shot, prosecutors said. Employees had ejected Cazares for fighting; he returned 40 minutes later and opened fire from outside. One victim told the court, 'My life changed forever that night. I never could have imagined I was being shot at. I firmly believe I died for a brief moment.' Deputy District Attorney Lacy Wells stated, 'It's only by the grace of God that no one was killed that night. He gunned down two women at a local, community establishment and clearly has no respect for human life.' Wells added, 'Damage didn't stop when the bullets stopped. These victims of this horrific and senseless crime will live with the mental, emotional and physical damage the rest of their lives.'
