Jury Returns True Verdict for Gang Allegations in 2012 Visalia Mall Shooting
State legislation that became effective law in 2022 is the latest legal hurdle faced by TCDA prosecutors in the 2012 Visalia Mall candy store gang shooting that severely wounded two and shook the community.
On April 7, 2026, in Department 6 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Anthony Hanson, now 32 and already serving life in prison, was once again before a Tulare County jury who found that he committed the crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
Under AB 333 (2021), the California Legislature created a law mandating a separate trial to prove gang enhancements from the underlying crime. Hanson’s original jury trial was completed in 2014, well before AB 333 was enacted. Retroactively, Hanson appealed to have the enhancements removed. Including the original 2014 trial, this is the third time TCDA prosecutors appeared before the court to resolve Hanson’s participation in the crime.
“Prosecutors have been attending to this case for over twelve years post-conviction thanks to the Legislature,” said District Attorney Tim Ward. “This defendant went hunting for people to hurt. He did what he set out to do. Now, for the last decade, he’s benefited from Sacramento’s leniency while prosecutors contend with his every whim. The community wonders why seemingly open and shut cases drag on for years. Here’s your example of no truth in sentencing. This is the third time prosecutors have had to stand before the court seeking justice in this case. When is enough, enough?”
January 27, 2012 – Just before 7 pm, Visalia Police Department officers were dispatched to the Visalia Mall regarding shots fired. There they discovered two male victims lying on the floor of the Sweet Factory candy store. One victim was shot in the neck, and another victim was shot through the thigh. According to witness accounts and video surveillance, Adrian Esquer, now 33, and Hanson, both wearing red bandanas, approached a group of rival gang members. After a verbal altercation, Esquer brandished a .22 handgun and fired nine shots, striking one gang member and a store customer. Hanson did not flee when the shooting occurred and remained with Esquer as the two ran from the mall and disposed of the firearm in some bushes at a nearby business. Law enforcement arrested Hanson the next day. Upon his arrest, he made a spontaneous statement saying, “I’m going away for a long time on this one.” Esquer was arrested the next day on January 29.
February 6, 2014 – At trial in Tulare County Superior Court, a jury found Esquer and Hanson guilty of four counts of premeditated attempted murder, two counts of non-premeditated murder, and two counts of assault with a firearm. The charges were enhanced with special allegations that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, use of a firearm, and causing great bodily injury. That year, the court sentenced Hanson to 346 years to life in prison and Esquer to 406 years to life in prison.
Since his original sentencing in 2014, Hanson has appealed his conviction and sentence to the California Court of Appeals under provisions granted under Senate Bill 1437 (felony murder direct participation) and Assembly Bill 333 (separate trial to prove gang enhancements from underlying crime). Through these appeals, the original special allegations concerning firearms and causing great bodily injury were vacated by the court. In each appeal, the Office of the District Attorney argued against any dismissal or sentence reduction. With these decisions by the court since the initial sentencing, Hanson is currently serving 104 years to life in prison for the shooting.
Re-sentencing after last week’s conviction is scheduled for April 29, 2026, in Superior Court. He again faces life in prison.
Esquer is not a party to these appeals and proceedings. He continues to serve his sentence at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494