Fil-Am sentenced to life in prison for killing his in-laws

File photo

VISTA, California – A 46-year-old Filipino American who gunned down his father-in-law and brother-in-law in Valley Center, San Diego County, was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 50 years.

Christian Bobila, was convicted by a Vista jury earlier this year for the June 26, 2022, killings of  79-year-old Vicente Reyes and 45-year-old Vincent Reyes.

Prosecutors say the killings stemmed from “a long-simmering family schism” over Bobila’s marriage to Vicente Reyes’ daughter, which happened without Vicente Reyes’ blessing.

READ: Arizona police releases videos of Fil-Am poisoning her husband through his morning coffee

Killings

On the day of the killings, Bobila drove from the Bay Area to the Reyes family home in Valley Center.

READ: Fil-Am student found dead in New Jersey

He first shot his brother-in-law, Vincent Reyes, three times while the victim was speaking with someone on the phone, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Bobila then shot his father-in-law in the head and chest in an upstairs bedroom. After the shootings, Bobila went downstairs and told his mother-in-law her that her son was dead while pointing to the patio.

READ: TikTok star shoots dead Fil-Am wife and her friend

Prosecutors say Bobila’s wife tried to intervene, but Bobila killed her father in her presence. Investigators told Fox5 that Bobila drove off in his father-in-law’s black minivan. He was in the vehicle when officers arrested him a mile from the home. Neighbors have said the 79-year-old lived in that home for 16 years.

Not Guilty

During his arraignment, Bobila entered a not guilty plea. Bobila was found guilty in March of two counts of first-degree murder, firearm enhancements and a special-circumstance allegation of committing multiple murders.

“This was a horrific murder that senselessly devastated an entire family,” San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement. “Although nothing is a substitute for the death of the two victims, I hope their surviving family members receive a measure of justice with the murder convictions and with today’s sentence.” (With CNS report)