Ventura Police recovered two loaded handguns that the suspects allegedly threw from their vehicle before they were pulled over.A Ventura Police Department spokesman said the incident was “unusual. . .it’s [the shopping center] not where you would expect gunfire.” The incident is still under investigation.
Two Santa Paulans arrested for Ventura shopping center shooting
June 07, 2000
Santa Paula News
Two Santa Paula men were arrested over the weekend in Ventura on various weapon charges after allegedly firing on a car full of juveniles cruising through a shopping center and tossing away loaded guns as they were being pulled over by police.
Gilbert Estrada, 21, and Patrick Estrada, 18, both of Santa Paula, were arrested on suspicion of brandishing and firing guns from their car on Saturday, May 27.The intended victims, four youths all Ventura residents under the age of 18 years old, told Ventura Police investigators that had were driving through the Albertson’s/Longs shopping center at Kimball and Telegraph roads. The two suspects, riding in another vehicle, confronted them and then fired a round of shots at the victims, who drove through the parking lot to get away. The bullets did not hit the victim’s car and no one was injured.The youths tried to flee the area and took Telegraph Road to Wells Road with the suspects in pursuit. . .at the intersection of Wells Road and Citrus Drive the two suspects allegedly brandished handguns at the victims before racing away on Wells Road heading south.Ventura Police, which had received reports of the altercation at the Albertson’s/Longs shopping center, spotted the suspects’ car on Telephone Road and called other officers to the scene before stopping the vehicle. They arrested Gilbert and Patrick Estrada on suspicion of brandishing and firing guns; the two were booked into Ventura County Jail.
