Fernando Palomares has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2021 shooting death of 21-year-old Alicia Flores outside the Centerfolds strip club in Butte County. After a three-week trial, a Butte County Superior Court jury convicted Palomares, 33, of murder with the use of a firearm and being a felon in possession of a gun. Surveillance footage and witness testimony showed Palomares and Flores arriving together at the club, and Flores was later found shot in the backseat of a vehicle. A forensic pathologist confirmed multiple gunshot wounds as the cause of death. The murder weapon, a “ghost gun” 9 mm pistol, was recovered near the club, along with tools to make such firearms found at Palomares’ home. Palomares did not testify, and his attorney argued lack of motive, but the prosecution noted motive is not legally required for conviction. The jury of five men and seven women returned the guilty verdict in under an hour. Palomares faces 80 years to life in prison at sentencing scheduled for December 4, 2025.
