Attempted Murderer Denied Parole for 1999 Shootings
On April 12, 2018, at Pelican Bay State Prison, a parole board denied parole for Eric Robles, age 40, for multiple shootings near downtown Visalia in 1999. Roble was given a five-year denial and is not eligible for another hearing until 2023.
Early on July 15, 1999, Robles and a friend were drinking beers at a Visalia club. As the two departed, Robles told his friend to stop the car. Robles exited and approached a running car parked in front of the club that was occupied by two African-American males and a female. Robles tapped on the passenger window for the occupant to open the door. When he did, Robles put a .380 semiautomatic pistol against his head while yelling racial slurs. Robles demanded their money, clothes, and identifications while threatening to shoot. During the exchange, Robles dropped an identification card. Using this distraction the car sped away, knocking Robles to the ground. Robles fired a single shot at the car and hit the passenger in the buttocks.
Robles returned to the vehicle and drove a short distance before he once again demanded that they stop. Robles ran down the street to a cab driver waiting outside his car. Robles told the driver that he needed to get away because someone was shooting at him. The cab driver said he would get him to safety, but needed to alert the police. Robles then pinned thedriver against the car and tried to take his phone. A shot rang out and struck one of the cab’s tires. The cab driverattempted to grab the gun, but it fired next to his face, going through his fingers and in to his shoulder. Despite this, the cab driver again attempted to fend off Robles, but he fired again. The bullet destroyed his spleen and lodged in thedriver’s side. He was partially paralyzed and lives with constant pain. The victim testified to this at the parole hearing. Robles ran back to his waiting friend, but they were observed by a Visalia Police Department Officer who initiated a traffic stop and took Robles into custody.
In the spring of 2001, Robles was convicted by a jury of attempted murder with the special allegation of causing great bodily injury with a gun, two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, three counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, one count of making a criminal threat, and one count of drug possession with a gun. Each count is a felony. Robles was sentenced to 45 years-to-life in state prison.
This was Robles’ initial hearing. The District Attorney’s Office routinely attends life parole hearings and a Senior DeputyDistrict Attorney argued against the inmate’s release in this case.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494