A Fresno man was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, for fatally shooting his friend after a night of drinking. (GV Wire Composite)
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A Fresno man was sentenced Thursday to 35 years to life in prison for fatally shooting his friend after a night of drinking, prosecutors said.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said Christian Lavin, 33, was sentenced by Judge Leanne Le Mon after being convicted in May of first-degree murder and personal use of a firearm.
Prosecutors said Lavin shot and killed Roberto Roman, 30, a friend and fellow Marine, in the backyard of his Fresno home.
The two had spent the evening drinking and talking before a friendly wrestling match turned deadly. After Roman gained the upper hand, Lavin went inside, retrieved a gun, and shot Roman in the chest at close range.
Much of the incident was captured on Lavin’s home surveillance system, officials said.
Roman is survived by his mother, brother, wife, and their 3-year-old son.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Kaitlin Drake, with investigative support from Senior District Attorney Investigator Bernardo Verbera.
The Fresno Police Department’s Homicide Unit, including detective Mark Yee, led the investigation.
Under state law, Lavin will be eligible for parole when he turns 50 and has served 20 years of his sentence, the DA’s office noted.
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