A Sacramento County jury has convicted Ali Mustafa Hudson of killing his mother inside a senior living facility and firing at deputies who responded to the scene.
The verdict was returned on April 23, 2026, following a case that began with domestic violence calls and ended in a deadly apartment shooting.
Jury Finds Hudson Guilty on Murder and Attempted Murder Charges
Hudson was convicted of second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, and felon in possession of a firearm. Jurors also found firearm-use allegations to be true, adding to the seriousness of the conviction.
The case was prosecuted by Principal Criminal Attorney Danny Jensen of the Homicide Unit.
Deputies Had Been Called Twice That Day
The shooting happened on January 19, 2021, after Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies responded twice to a senior living facility.
The calls involved reports of domestic violence and a restraining order connected to 66-year-old Ramona Hayes and her son, Hudson.
During the second response, prosecutors said Hudson became angry and wanted police to leave. The situation then escalated inside the apartment.
Mother Barricaded Before Fatal Shooting
According to prosecutors, Hudson barricaded his mother inside the apartment before shooting her four times. Hayes died from the gunfire.
The case centered not only on the killing itself, but also on the way the confrontation developed after law enforcement arrived. What began as a domestic violence-related call quickly became a deadly armed standoff.
Hudson Fired at Responding Deputies
After killing his mother, prosecutors said Hudson opened fire on responding deputies. A shootout followed and continued until Hudson ran out of ammunition.
Deputies returned fire and hit Hudson, but prosecutors said he was wearing body armor and suffered only minor wounds. The body armor detail became a significant part of the case, pointing to the danger deputies faced during the exchange.
Firearm Possession Was Illegal
Hudson had previously been convicted of a felony, meaning he was legally barred from owning or possessing a firearm. That prior felony status formed the basis for the felon-in-possession conviction.
A separate allegation that Hudson has a prior strike conviction for attempted robbery with a firearm will be decided at sentencing.
Impact and Consequences
The conviction brings a measure of legal accountability in a case involving family violence, a fatal shooting, and an attack on law enforcement. For Ramona Hayes’ loved ones, the verdict confirms that a jury found Hudson responsible for her death.
The case also underscores how domestic violence calls can become extremely dangerous for victims and responding officers. Deputies had already been called to the facility once that day before the second response turned deadly.
If the prior strike allegation is found true, it could further affect Hudson’s punishment. As it stands, he already faces a maximum sentence of 123 years to life in prison.
What’s next?
Hudson’s sentencing is scheduled for May 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Department 12-A before Judge Tami Bogert.
At that hearing, the court is expected to determine the prior strike allegation tied to an attempted robbery with a firearm. The final sentence will then decide how long Hudson may spend in prison.
Summary
Ali Mustafa Hudson has been convicted of second-degree murder for shooting and killing his mother, 66-year-old Ramona Hayes, at a Sacramento County senior living facility in 2021.
He was also convicted of two counts of attempted murder for firing at deputies, along with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors said Hudson barricaded Hayes inside an apartment, shot her four times, then engaged deputies in a shootout while wearing body armor.
He now faces a possible sentence of 123 years to life.
Bulleted Takeaways:
- Ali Mustafa Hudson was convicted on April 23, 2026.
- The case number is 21FE001219.
- Hudson was found guilty of second-degree murder.
- He was also convicted of two counts of attempted murder.
- Jurors convicted him of felon in possession of a firearm.
- Firearm-use allegations were found true.
- The victim was his mother, 66-year-old Ramona Hayes.
- Deputies had been called to a senior living facility twice on January 19, 2021.
- Prosecutors said Hudson barricaded his mother inside an apartment and shot her four times.
- He then fired at responding deputies until he ran out of ammunition.
- Hudson was hit by return fire but had body armor and suffered only minor wounds.
- He faces up to 123 years to life in prison.
- Sentencing is set for May 8, 2026, before Judge Tami Bogert.
