DA: Man found guilty of friend’s murder in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man was found guilty of another man’s murder in 2024, who was reportedly his friend, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office said.

The DA’s office says Christian Lavin was found guilty on Thursday of 30-year-old Roberto Roman’s death and was convicted of 1st degree murder, with the use of a firearm enhancement.

On April 28, 2024, Fresno Police say they responded to a shooting victim at a home in the 2900 block of E. Pryor Dr. Upon arrival, they encountered the reporting party, who advised that her husband had shot a person in their backyard.

When officers entered the property, they say they found Lavin intoxicated, lying on a couch, and Roman in the backyard, suffering from a single gunshot wound to his upper torso. Officers said Roman died at the scene.

A Glock handgun registered to Lavin was also found at the home, according to police.

Investigators say the two men were friends, but according to surveillance footage, that day they were drinking and wrestling in the backyard. At one point, the incident escalated, and Lavin retrieved his firearm and shot Roman.

Lavin faces 50 years to life. His sentencing has been scheduled for July 17.