Two Gang Members Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that a jury found Christian Rodriguez (DOB 3/1/95) and Alejandro A. Cabrera (DOB 1/24/90), both of Oxnard, guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of 16-year-old Josue Lopez on March 6, 2013.  The jury also found true the special circumstances that they committed the murder while active participants in a criminal street gang and intended to kill in order to further the activities of that gang.  The jury found that both Rodriquez and Cabrera personally discharged handguns in the commission of the crime.  The jury also found Rodriguez guilty of willful, deliberate, and premeditated attempted murder for the shooting of Juan Gutierrez on March 11, 2013.

On March 6, 2013, Rodriguez and Cabrera went to the unincorporated area of Oxnard known as El Rio armed with revolvers looking for rival gang members.  They saw the victim walking home after school. Believing him to be a rival, they confronted him, and then started shooting at him. The victim was struck by two bullets, one of which went through the middle of his chest.  He died at the scene.  Rodriguez and Cabrera fled back to Oxnard.  The case was investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Days later, on March 11, 2013, Juan Gutierrez was driving his car in an Oxnard neighborhood. As he was stopped at an intersection, Rodriguez walked up to the car and confronted him. Rodriguez then pointed a gun at his head, and the victim tried to drive away.  Rodriguez shot the victim through the chest. The victim was able to get away and drove himself to a hospital.  This case was investigated by the Oxnard Police Department.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 1, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 26 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura. Both Rodriguez and Cabrera face a maximum possible sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. In addition, Rodriguez faces an extra 40 years to life in prison for the attempted murder. 

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.

Follow the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office on Twitter @VenturaDAOffice

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