According to a statement
released by major crimes investigator Sgt. Gary Hess and information
gathered by the Ojai Valley News, Guerra was stopped in his vehicle
in the area of Drown and Oak streets late Friday afternoon when a
black Nissan pulled up next to him.
Following a verbal exchange,
Jimmy Villalpando, 24, allegedly fired two shots through the windows
of Guerra’s Chevy SUV, striking Guerra twice below his left
armpit. Villalpando, according to the report, fired from the passenger
seat of the vehicle.
“We don’t know him to be a serious criminal violator,”
Ojai Police Chief Bruce Norris said of Villalpando, “but there
has been contact with him before.”
The driver of the vehicle has been identified but not charged with
any crime.
According to the report, Guerra was able to drive his vehicle to his
home. When he arrived, family members assisted him and called for
emergency services. He was taken to the Ojai Valley Community Hospital,
treated for his injuries and admitted for observation.
Prosecutors did not file an attempted murder charge, for which Villalpando
was originally booked, but have filed a gang enhancement charge.
If guilty of all charges,
Villalpando could be sentenced to as many as 30 years in prison, according
to Ojai Police Chief Bruce Norris.
“This is just great police and detective work by major crimes
and our guys, (Mike) Ferguson and (Jim) DeSoto,” Norris said.
“They were given a partial name and put 2 and 2 together and
made the arrest. The suspect vehicle was then impounded.”
After search warrants were issued, both vehicles were impounded for
evidence and examination by Sheriff’s Department criminalist
investigators. Authorities would not disclose the caliber of weapon
that was used to shoot Guerra, or if any weapon had been recovered.
Villalpando remains in custody with bail set at $90,000.
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