Jury convicts man of 2022 bar shooting that injured two
Published on April 21, 2025
GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) – A Weld County man faces up to 1200 years behind bars after a jury convicted him Friday of firing nearly 30 rounds at people at a Greeley bar in 2022.
On August 13, 2022, Greeley police responded to a shooting at Rancho El Corazon bar, where two victims were found shot. Both were transported to the hospital and survived.
During the investigation, Greeley police identified Efren Sanchez as the shooter. Sanchez was seen on video leaving the bar after he felt “disrespected” by another bar patron.
Shortly after leaving, Sanchez was then seen returning to the bar, armed with a rifle. Video surveillance showed Sanchez firing several rounds at people outside the bar, before firing several more rounds into the bar from outside the building. He fired a total of 28 rounds.
“He shot bullet after bullet, causing panic and pain,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia said during Friday’s closing arguments. “These are innocent victims with forever reminders of the defendant’s actions.”
After a week-long trial, a Weld County jury convicted the defendant Friday of the following 52 charges:
- 25 counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder in the First Degree – after deliberation
- 25 counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder in the First Degree – extreme indifference
- 2 counts of Crime of Violence (Sentencing Enhancer)
The defendant is facing 400 to 1200 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 13th at 2PM in Division 17.
In addition to Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia, Chief Deputy District Attorney Anthony Perea also prosecuted this case.