Man found guilty of first-degree murder in fatal shooting near American River College
A Sacramento County jury on Thursday convicted a man of first-degree murder for a deadly shooting committed last year while trying to steal marijuana in North Highlands.
Patrick Lavell Noied, 20, was found guilty in the May 5, 2021, shooting death of Tayler Wellman-Holochwost, according to a news release from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. His conviction included an enhancement for using a gun and causing death.
On the day of the fatal shooting, Wellman-Holochwost, 29, of Antelope, drove to an apartment complex to sell marijuana to an acquaintance. Prosecutors said they and several other people smoked marijuana and hung out together in and around Wellman-Holochwost’s car. Noied joined the group for some time and then left.
Noied returned to Wellman-Holochwost’s car, brandished a gun and tried to rob him of his marijuana, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Noied fired at least two shots into the car and gunfire struck the victim in the neck and arm. Noied then reached into the car to grab the victim’s bag of marijuana before leaving, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Sacramento County sheriff’s officials have said Wellman-Holochwost was first spotted injured about 10:45 p.m. in the area of Amber Lane and College Oak Drive near American River College. Someone called 911 and reported the injured person “collapsed” and bleeding.
Wellman-Holochwost had driven his car to a store and asked for help before dying of his injuries a few minutes later. Prosecutors said the gun used in the murder was never recovered.
Homicide detectives later identified Noied as the shooting suspect and arrested him on June 23, 2021.
Prosecutors said Noied faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison. On Friday, Noied remained in custody at the Sacramento County Jail. He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 14 for his sentencing hearing.
