David Torrez was sentenced to 45 years in prison Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to attacking his estranged wife and her companion, the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said.

The 45-year prison sentence was the maximum allowed under Torrez’s plea agreement. Torrez, 35, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder after deliberation on March 4. Other counts against him were dismissed.

“Domestic violence knows no cultural, economic or geographic boundaries; it is an insidious crime we see in all communities,” said District Attorney John Kellner. “This was an especially egregious case deserving of a strong sentence.”

On Feb. 21, 2020, police were to called to South Pagosa Way in Aurora on reports of gunshots. When officers arrived, they found a 40-year-old man in a car with gunshot wounds. A 38-year-old woman was also in the car uninjured.

The woman told police that Torrez, her estranged husband who she separated from on Jan. 1, had attacked her and her companion. She said Torrez followed them and approached them in the car, shooting at them both.

She said her companion used his body to shield her from the bullets and she heard Torrez say “I hope you’re happy with yourself” while he shot at them.

The male victim was taken to a hospital. He had been shot seven times, including twice to the head, but he survived his injuries.

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“Mr. Torrez not only stalked the victims in this case, he hunted them,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Brian Eckhardt. “This would have been a double homicide but for the strength and determination of the victims.”

Torrez was arrested later that evening when he was found passed out in his car in a field off Interstate 25 in Dacono. Responding officers said they could smell alcohol on his breath.

The estranged wife told police that Torrez had been physically abusive to her during their marriage, including one instance on Dec. 31, 2019, when he struck her while she was recovering from a surgery, causing her to be hospitalized.

She said Torrez had also been harassing and stalking her, including placing tracing devices on vehicles she used.

The victims in the case provided the following statement:

“We would like to publicly thank those who worked so tirelessly and tremendously on this case for both of us. … Gratitude is so forgotten these days, but we are grateful.”

“And to any woman or any person who might be in a situation of control and abuse: Please get help. You do not have to be in a situation where you’re being beaten for it to get bad, drastically and progressively. If there is extreme verbal, social, emotional and other forms of abuse — stalking and physical abuse will soon follow. Seek help, and get the law involved early.”

“The only reason we are alive today is because of a hero who sacrificed his body, and for the tireless medical efforts along with miracles that kept that hero alive.”