A 27-year-old woman pleaded not guilty Wednesday in connection with the December 2025 drive-by shooting of a Stockton woman.
Monica Barajas is charged with the murder of Obdulia Sanchez, who was killed on Dec. 2, 2025 in the 700 block of Gertrude Avenue.
Barajas also faces an allegation of intentionally discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and death.
At a further arraignment hearing April 15, Barajas entered a not guilty plea and denied all allegations.
As she entered the courtroom, dressed in orange, she looked towards the courtroom gallery seats where two supporters of hers sat. Just ahead of the supporters was Sanchez’s mother.
Barajas told San Joaquin County Superior Judge Allan F. Jose that she did not want to waive time on her case and wanted to proceed to a preliminary hearing.
According to Magid Law Office, by refusing to waive time, a defendant asserts their right to a speedy trial, meaning the prosecution must bring the case to trial within the legal timeframe — typically within 30 to 60 days, depending on whether the defendant is in custody.
Jose said it was Barajas’ legal right to not waive time, but warned her that in a “significant” case such as hers, her attorney needed all information and evidence to help represent her.
Jose said the evidence and information was vital to prevent any surprises on the stand or incomplete information.
After talking to her attorney, Barajas told the judge she still did not wish to waive time.
A preliminary hearing, projected to last a day, was scheduled for April 27 at the Stockton courthouse.
A pre-preliminary hearing is set for April 22 and Barajas will remain in custody.
Day of Sanchez’s death
Just after 7 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2025, deputies responded to 723 N. Gertrude Avenue on reports of a shooting.
A man and Sanchez were found at the scene with gunshot wounds and taken to a hospital, deputies said.
Sanchez later died from her injuries.
In an affidavit for search warrant document, affiant Allison Barsetti, wrote a statement of probable cause detailing the believed events that led up to the shooting.
After the first call regarding the shooting the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office received an update from the reporting party.
The caller said they heard approximately seven gunshots and could see a woman that was unresponsive in the road near 712 N. Gertrude Avenue.
At the scene, Adam Tapia and Sanchez were found with gunshot wounds.
Tapia was treated for his injuries and was in stable condition following the shooting.
Barsetti noted that when she first tried to interview Tapia he refused to answer any questions and was uncooperative.
According to the probable cause statement, surveillance video showed that Tapia and Sanchez had parked their vehicle.
Shortly after, a dark-colored sedan was seen passing in the area and passed by Sanchez’s vehicle.
Sanchez, who was in the passenger seat, is seen in the video getting out of her car, holding what appeared to be a cell phone to her head, and looked in the direction of the suspect’s car.
Tapia then got out of the vehicle from the driver side and was given by Sanchez what appeared to be a cell phone. Sanchez then began to roll up her sweatshirt, according to the probable cause statement.
Tapia was seen in the video footage pointing the cell phone in the direction of Sanchez.
At about 7:11 p.m., the suspect vehicle was seen traveling southbound on Gertrude Avenue and stopped parallel to the victims and their vehicle.
A hand, with a red piece of clothing, then stuck out of the driver window of the suspect’s car and multiple gun muzzle flashes were seen from the driver’s door, pointing in the direction of Tapia and Sanchez, stated the probable cause statement.
A detective found Sanchez’s Instagram account, and an hour before the shooting she had posted a story that said, “Run your fade already @trublz34.”
The phrase, “run your fade” references a physical fight and challenges another person to a fight, according to court documents.
A second post read, “Somebody tell Monica aka Troubles to run her fade.”
Previously, in 2018, Sanchez was sentenced to six years and four months in prison for driving drunk while live-streaming the crash that killed her 14-year-old sister. She was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter with an enhancement for causing bodily injury or death to more than one victim and abuse and endangerment of a child.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: More details emerge in Obdulia Sanchez murder case
Reporting by Victoria Franco, The Stockton Record / The Record
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