OXNARD, Calif. (Thechieftainspear) –— A Ventura County gang member has admitted to the fatal shooting of a man in Oxnard nearly eight years ago, prosecutors announced Friday.
Christopher Paul Arevalo, 33, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the killing of Giovanni Vega, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
The deadly incident took place on Dec. 8, 2016, when Arevalo and an accomplice entered a convenience store in Oxnard. Shortly after, Vega also walked in. When Vega left the store, Arevalo and his associate followed him outside, approached him, and asked about his affiliations before opening fire. Prosecutors say Arevalo shot Vega four times before fleeing the scene.
Vega’s body was discovered the next morning by a jogger on West Vineyard Avenue, approximately 130 yards from the store.
Also Read – ‘Swatting’ Hoax Triggers Lockdown at Southern California College
Oxnard police launched an investigation and reviewed surveillance footage from the store, which helped them identify Arevalo as the suspect. The following day, officers pulled over a vehicle in which Arevalo was a backseat passenger. A search of the car led to the discovery of the murder weapon, which was hidden between the seats where he had been sitting. Ballistics testing later confirmed that shell casings found at the crime scene matched the recovered firearm.
“The victim’s family has waited a long time for justice,” said Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara. “This outcome will hopefully provide them with a sense of closure and peace.”
Along with pleading guilty to second-degree murder, Arevalo admitted to a special allegation of personally and intentionally discharging a firearm. He is set to be sentenced on April 11 in Ventura County Superior Court and faces a prison term of 35 years to life.
