Long Beach man sentenced to up to life in prison for killing a Guatemalan immigrant

Long Beach, California – According to a statement released by the Orange County District Attorney’s office this week, a man from Long Beach was given a sentence on Monday of up to life in prison for “executing” a Guatemalan immigrant in 2019 after a failed robbery attempt. The victim was 30 years old.

On May 17, Brandon Deandre Norwood, age 32, was found guilty of second-degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the discharge of a firearm causing death as well as one felony count of possessing a firearm by a felon. He was sentenced to 40 years to life behind bars.

Oscar Humberto Chunmichicoj, 30, was allegedly being followed by Norwood, who was in a rental car, on March 3, 2019, as he returned to his home in Anaheim after filling two water jugs at a nearby store.

Prosecutors assert that at some point during the encounter, Norwood exited the rented vehicle and made an effort to rob Chunmichicoj. Prosecutors say that Norwood shot Chunmichicoj once in the head after the latter resisted, and then rushed back to the rented vehicle. According to the authorities, Norwood was arrested in the end when video surveillance evidence linked him to the crime site.

“This young man was a completely innocent victim who came to this country for a better life. Instead of realizing his American dream, Oscar ended up the victim of a violent crime at the hands of a career criminal. Thankfully, his killer will spend decades behind bars instead of preying on hardworking people like Oscar,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.

At the time of the incident, Norwood was serving a parole sentence.