DATE: July 28, 2025

CASE: Hayden Petersen (Case #20FE018400)

PROSECUTOR: Principal Criminal Attorney Sam Nong, Homicide Unit

On July 25, 2025, the Honorable David Bonilla sentenced Hayden Petersen to 45 years to life in prison. On November 12, 2024, a jury convicted Petersen of the first-degree murder of Eduardo Kennedy. The jury also found true the allegation that Petersen personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing death.

On October 20, 2020, Petersen met the victim in a remote area of Antelope to conduct an illicit drug transaction. At the location, Petersen pulled out a gun and fired at the victim as the victim sat in his car. The victim was hit by multiple rounds but was able to drive away and try to escape. Petersen chased the victim to a nearby shopping center parking lot where he fired more rounds at the victim, killing him. Petersen fled the scene but was later identified and arrested by sheriff’s deputies.