Michael Vincent Lopretta, a 19-year-old from Fairfield, California, tragically lost his life on November 4, 2021, in what authorities described as a "robbery gone wrong." Michael was meeting someone to purchase a car through the OfferUp app when he was fatally shot. The incident occurred around noon on Tyler Street, where police found Michael with gunshot wounds. Despite immediate response, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Michael had been excited about buying a 2013 BMW 5 series, a car he had been saving up for years. His parents, who were deeply proud of him, shared that he had recently graduated from Benicia High School and aspired to become a history teacher. Michael was known for his love of baseball, particularly the San Francisco Giants, and his kind-hearted nature.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Kamaria Strange, a 24-year-old from San Pablo. She was charged with homicide and booked into the Solano County Jail without bail. According to police, Michael had $7,000 on hand for the car purchase when the robbery and subsequent shooting occurred. Kamaria Strange appeared in court, where Michael's mother, Jessica Treat, saw her for the first time. Despite the gravity of the situation, Jessica expressed that she did not seek the death penalty, acknowledging that it would not bring her son back. The case has been a source of immense grief for Michael's family, who have created a memorial at the site of his death and continue to honor his memory.
The legal proceedings against Kamaria Strange have been ongoing. She pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and second-degree robbery charges. The trial, initially set for July, has been a focal point for the community and Michael's family, who seek justice for their loss. The Fairfield Police Department has used this tragic event to emphasize the importance of conducting transactions in safe, public places, offering a Safe Exchange Zone monitored by 24-hour surveillance for such purposes. This case has highlighted the dangers associated with online meetups and the need for increased safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
