Victims react with disappointment, frustration at possible release of Santana High shooter

Victims and witnesses to the deadly Santana High School shooting in Santee nearly 25 years ago expressed disappointment and frustration Wednesday after a judge agreed to recall the shooter’s sentence — a ruling that sets him up to be released from prison.

Charles Andrew “Andy” Williams was 15 years old when he opened fire between classes on the Santee campus on March 5, 2001. Students Bryan Zuckor, 14, and Randy Gordon, 17, died. Eleven other students and two staffers were wounded.

He was tried as an adult and sentenced to 50 years to life in prison.

Changes in the law regarding youth offenders and subsequent court rulings led a San Diego Superior Court judge on Tuesday to find that Williams fit the criteria to be resentenced. And because he was younger than 16 when he opened fire on the campus, his case must be heard in Juvenile Court — which cannot keep him in custody after age 25. Williams is 39.

“He should not get out,” said Santana teacher and football coach Tim Estes, who was shot in the back during the rampage. “He gave two families life sentences and took two lives. They got life sentences, and he doesn’t have to have one. To me, that’s just wrong.”

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