Fresno Man Sentenced to Life for 2020 Murder Over 49ers Flag

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 7 months ago on

January 16, 2025

Daniel Epimenio Gonzalez, 39, of Fresno, was sentenced to 75 years to life on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, for the 2020 murder of Frank Rojas. The killing was sparked by a dispute over a 49ers flag. (Fresno County Sheriff's Office)

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A Fresno man was sentenced Thursday to 75 years to life in prison for the 2020 murder of Frank Rojas in a dispute sparked by a football rivalry, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office reported in a news release.

Daniel Epimenio Gonzalez, 39, received the sentence after being found guilty of all charges in an October 2024 trial.

The fatal shooting occurred on Feb. 1, 2020, when Gonzalez confronted Rojas, 24, outside a Fresno residence over a San Francisco 49ers flag.

Witnesses said Gonzalez, riding a bike, exchanged heated words with Rojas and others preparing for the next day’s Super Bowl.

The argument moved to a nearby vacant lot, where Gonzalez used a homemade zip gun to fatally shoot Rojas in the abdomen before fleeing.

Fresno police apprehended Gonzalez shortly after at a nearby homeless encampment, where the weapon was found.

Prosecutors noted Gonzalez’s extensive criminal record, including a 2013 strike offense.

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Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.