Can a defendant be found guilty as an aider and abettor of a crime where no evidence directly placed a weapon in their hands?

We first address defendants' premise that because no evidence directly placed a weapon in their hands, their liability was necessarily based upon a finding of aiding and abetting. Defendants cite People v. Samaniego (2009) 172 Cal.App.4th 1148, 1165-1166, as authority for this assertion. Although the defendants in that case were charged as aiders and abettors because the shooter was unknown, the court did not hold that a defendant may only be convicted as an aider and abettor unless the evidence establishes that he wielded the murder weapon.