A San Mateo County jury has found Debari Augustine, 24, of Antioch, guilty of attempted murder and felony assault for shooting at St. Augustine Catholic Church in South San Francisco in 2024 while two parishioners were locked inside. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe announced the verdict, which the San Mateo Daily Journal reported on Oct. 28.
What the jury found
According to the DA's Office, Augustine was convicted of attempted murder with premeditation, felony vandalism of religious property, shooting at an inhabited building, felony assault and possession of an assault weapon. He faces around 30 years to life in prison.
Wagstaffe said prosecutors convinced the jury that Augustine could see two women, ages 81 and 75, inside the church while he was shooting. "We're very pleased the jury was able to find it to be a premeditated attempted murder," he told the Daily Journal.
What happened in January 2024
Before the trial, Chief Deputy District Attorney Shin-Mee Chang described the case. The church was closed at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2024, with two women locked inside. Augustine allegedly tried to force his way in and then fired multiple shots outside. The women hid and called 911.
Police found a rifle leaning against a statue of St. Michael. Officers used license plate readers to find the car Augustine was driving and arrested him that same day. Chang said he had been found eligible for mental health diversion, but his attorney decided not to pursue a hearing.
The defense
Defense attorney Brandon Douglass told the Daily Journal his team is exploring a possible appeal or a motion for a new trial. "Our position was throughout the trial, this was vandalism. He didn't know there was anyone there," he said.
The court will still hold a trial on four aggravating factors before sentencing.