Elk Grove Bus Stop Murder: Homeless Man Stabbed to Death, Attacker Sentenced to 26 Years to Life
The homicide occurred in February 2022
A Sacramento County judge has sentenced a man to 26 years to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of a homeless man in Elk Grove, the Sacramento District Attorney's office has announced.
On March 6, 2026, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang sentenced Aaron Spencer following his conviction for the first-degree murder of Eric Roberts, an unhoused resident living in Elk Grove. A jury found Spencer guilty on Oct. 21, 2025, and also determined that he personally used a deadly weapon in the killing.
Prosecutors said the fatal incident occurred at the Chevron gas station on Sheldon Road in Elk Grove, where both Spencer and Roberts were known to frequent and were living without housing.
According to evidence presented at trial, the two men were socializing at the bus stop near the gas station. Roberts was seated in front of the business when Spencer approached and sat with him briefly and Spencer then left the area but returned a short time later.
Surveillance video introduced in court showed Spencer behaving aggressively before raising his arm in a stabbing motion toward Roberts. He then walked away from the scene.
Witnesses inside the gas station reported hearing screams and went outside to investigate. They found Roberts suffering from multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police detained Spencer nearby. He was wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance footage capturing the attack.
The case highlighted the vulnerability of unhoused individuals in Elk Grove, where both the victim and the suspect had been living prior to the incident.
