Santa Paula Man Facing Attempted Murder Charges After Christmas Eve Shooting

A 29 year old Santa Paula man is behind bars following a terrifying shooting incident that occurred in broad daylight on Christmas Eve. The suspect is accused of opening fire on a vehicle occupied by an adult and two children, leading to charges of attempted murder and child endangerment. The swift investigation by the Santa Paula Police Department led to his capture just two days after the attack.

Gunfire on Orchard Street

The violence erupted around 2 50 p.m. on December 24 in the area of Orchard Street and 13th Street. Residents called 911 to report multiple shots fired in the neighborhood. When officers arrived they located a vehicle that had been struck by several bullets. Inside the car they found a shaken adult driver and two young children who had narrowly escaped injury during the ambush.

Investigators worked through the holiday to identify the shooter and track his movements. By the morning of December 26 they had enough evidence to pinpoint his location. He was spotted in his vehicle at approximately 10 50 a.m. and taken into custody without a struggle.

Drugs and Weapons Found During Search

The arrest was only the beginning of the legal trouble for the suspect. Following his capture detectives executed a search warrant that yielded a handgun and approximately two ounces of methamphetamine. These discoveries have added drug possession and weapons charges to an already extensive list of felony counts.

The suspect is currently being held on attempted murder and child endangerment charges. The Santa Paula Police Department has not yet released a motive for the shooting but they are emphasizing that the safety of children in the community is their top priority. They are asking anyone with additional information or video from the Orchard Street area to come forward as they finalize the case for the District Attorney.