DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction of Pedro Silva-Renteria, a 21-year-old from Norcross, for the murder of Sophie Vasquez, a transgender woman. The jury found Silva-Renteria guilty on multiple charges including Malice Murder and Felony Murder.
The incident occurred on May 4, 2021. Officers from the Brookhaven Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment on Windmont Drive shortly after 8 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered Vasquez lying face down near her front door with multiple gunshot wounds to her head and face.
Neighbors provided key evidence during the investigation. One neighbor reported hearing gunshots around 3:45 a.m., while another shared doorbell camera footage showing a man visiting Vasquez's apartment between 2:50 a.m. and returning at approximately 3:45 a.m.
Further investigation revealed that Silva-Renteria had been communicating with Vasquez via social media for several months prior to the incident. On May 3, 2021, Vasquez sent him her address upon his request. At 2:50 a.m. on May 4, Silva-Renteria messaged Vasquez indicating his arrival at her apartment—the same time as seen in surveillance footage.
A search warrant executed at Silva-Renteria’s parents' home uncovered clothing matching that worn by the suspect in surveillance videos along with the murder weapon and ammunition.
Silva-Renteria fled to Texas but was apprehended on August 5, 2021. During his trial, his defense claimed he acted out of fear upon discovering Vasquez's transgender identity; however, messages showed she had previously disclosed this information to him multiple times.
Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson has scheduled sentencing for November 8 at 9 a.m. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Connor Payne and Elizabeth Tarver with support from Investigator Michael Sheppard and Victim Advocate Christy Palmer. Investigators T. Lewis and J. Avelar led the initial police inquiry.