A Ventura County ju judge on Thursday was found guilty of attempted murder in connection with the 2022 shooting of 21-year-old Port Funeme resident Gabriel Torres, a serious injury to Oxnard. The verdict includes strengthening multiple sentences, including allegations that Torres used a firearm, committed the act with violence that caused serious physical harm and demonstrated serious danger to society.
Prosecutors said the shooting took place on the afternoon of December 23, 2022 when Torres drove to the Oxnard victim’s house, entered a nearby alley and fired fire. According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Torres was discharged from the hospital at close range for six rounds and attacked the victim three times before escaping the vehicle scene.
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The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was hospitalized for two weeks with serious injuries. Prosecutors described the shooting as a target and intentional act.
“This was an execution-style attack carried out during the day, completely ignoring human life and public safety,” Senior Deputy Prosecutor Blake Heller said in a statement. “Thanks to the quick efforts of the Oxnard Police Department, we were able to link evidence that pointed out the defendant as a shooter. This verdict sends a clear message that gun violence is not tolerated in our community.”
Gabriel Torres (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)
Investigators first identified Torres as the suspect after surveillance video captured a partial license plate and an image of a man who fitted his description. On December 31, 2022, Oxnard police officers found a vehicle that matched what was seen in the footage and attempted to stop traffic. During his short pursuit, Torres is said to have threw a 9mm pistol out of the car window. The firearm was later recovered and, following forensic analysis, confirmed to be the same weapon used in the shooting.
The cell phone location data placed more Torres near the crime scene at the time of the attack, prosecutors said.
The ju judge also found the series of reinforcements to be true. Torres personally and intentionally discharged firearms, committed serious physical harm during felony committees, committed crimes with great violence, used weapons, and engaged in acts that pose an ongoing danger to society.
Torres, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, is scheduled to be sentenced in Court 45 in Ventura County Superior Court on October 8, 2025. He is in custody without bail and faces a maximum sentence of 34 years in a state prison.
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