Tanber charged in the murder of Saddleback student Shayan Mazroei

“It was just a regular family night,” said Jack Brewer, owner of Patsy’s Irish Pub. “We have a real ‘cheers’ atmosphere here, it’s a nice place and our reputation is being tarnished, but we’re just like a big family.”

Early morning, Monday, September 7, 2015, a 22-year-old Saddleback College student was stabbed to death at Patsy’s Irish Pub, 28971 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel. Shayan Mazroei suffered from multiple stab wounds to the upper torso of his body, he was treated at the scene of the crime and then transferred to Mission Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:47 a.m.

According to a Facebook page Shayan Mazroei called himself Shayan Maserati, and was originally from Tehran, Iran. He moved to Oklahoma as child and his Facebook page also noted that he went to Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mazroei, an only child, later moved with his family to Laguna Niguel.

After taking some automotive classes at Saddleback College, he opened Auto Gallery LLC a Santa Ana car dealership, he was the Owner and CEO when he was killed.

Mazroei was said to be an old soul with positive attitude and a bright future. Always the first person to introduce himself and welcome newcomers wherever he was.

“We’re all just in shock,” said Jonathan Way, a close friend of Mazroei’s.  “He was one of my closest friends, and I can’t imagine something like this happening to someone who was always happy, always smiling.”

According to the District Attorney’s office, Craig Tanber, 37, a documented gang member with a significant criminal record, is accused of getting into a verbal argument with Mazroei close to the door of the bar. The argument between the two men turned into a physical altercation that ended with a fatality.

Tanber, an active member of the white supremacist gang Public Enemy Number 1 (PEN1), is charged with and currently in custody over Mazroei’s murder, but his case is not being defined as a hate crime said OC Sheriff Department Public Information Officer Lt. Jeff Hallock.

Friends and family of Mazroei are certain that it was.

“He was Saddleback College student, this was a clear hate crime,” said Mazroei’s mother, Shahzad Maz on Facebook. “No one should be senselessly murdered for the color of their skin, especially not my sweet Shayan. The monster who did this must pay.”

The defendant is accused of fleeing the bar and was at large until early Friday morning. Based on the investigation and the evidence, OCSD SWAT deputies were able to arrest Tanber at a Motel 6 in Westminster on September 11, 2015, the suspect in the murder of Mazroei.

“Since the crime occurred the homicide department has been working tirelessly around the clock,” Hallock said. “Last Thursday night the SWAT team successfully was able to make the arrest at Motel 6 without any harm or injuries.”

Based on the Orange County court records, Tanber was released on parole in June of 2015 after serving a 13-year sentence for a manslaughter conviction on February 2, 2007. Prior to that he was convicted of burglary in the first degree on March 13, 2001, which he served a two-year sentence. He was charged with weapons possessions on December 21, 1996. The defendant also has a history of drug use, having plead guilty several times for possession of controlled substance as well as, possession of opium pipe or paraphernalia for injecting or smoking. These convictions date all the way back to 1997.

Tanber is being charged with a felony of murder and a sentencing enhancement of dangerous/ deadly weapon. He will also receive enhancements for not remaining out of custody for five or more years. His next court date is set for October 2, 2015, and his bail is set at $1 million. The violent crimes Tanber has committed made him a strike offender, with this being his third. If convicted, he is looking at 76 years to life in state prison.

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