Shooting in Saticoy Kills 2, Wounds 2

Two Saticoy men were shot and killed and two others wounded in a drive-by shooting early Sunday as they were leaving a baptism party with a group of friends, authorities and witnesses said.

Rolando Martinez, 20, and Javier Ramirez, 19, were killed after people in a car pulled into Cabrillo Village and began firing at the crowd, said Lt. Gary Markley of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. The shooting occurred at 12:49 a.m., he said.

“It is pretty surprising that it happened to them,” said Marisa Macias, a neighbor and friend of the victims. Martinez, a Ventura College student, had just been accepted to UC Davis, and Ramirez was considering getting married, friends and family members said.

Injured were Ilmer Maradiaga, 22, and Rudy Gutierrez, 19, both of Saticoy, Markley said. Maradiaga was in fair condition, and Gutierrez was in good condition late Sunday at Ventura County Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Neighbors said the four men and a dozen others had gathered outside the carport of a friend’s home after a baptismal celebration. The suspects, who were driving a red Camaro, stopped about 40 feet from the house and began shooting, neighbors said.

“I was putting on music and looked over because I heard the pop-pop-pop,” said David Magallanes, 17, who was with the group.

The suspects sped away before anyone could make out the car’s license plate number, witnesses said.

“They just shot. They didn’t even know who they were shooting out,” Magallanes said.

Martinez died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, and Ramirez died of two gunshot wounds to the torso, Deputy Coroner James Wingate said. The shots came from a small-caliber gun, Wingate said.

Sheriff’s deputies said they had no suspects, no motive and no indication that the shooting was gang-related.

But residents at the housing complex said violence has increasingly invaded their quiet, close-knit neighborhood. When Cabrillo Village was founded nearly 15 years ago, it was viewed as a chance for Latino farm workers to have a slice of suburban life. The project won national awards for its architectural design.

In the complex are the houses of 80 farm workers that were scheduled for demolition. They have been rehabilitated, and 80 more dwellings have been added over the years.

Today, alongside the well-tended houses, many with white picket fences, are more ominous signs. Some of the houses have bars covering windows and doors. And residents said they are scared of gang violence entering their community.

They said Sunday’s shooting was particularly shocking because the four men were not involved with gangs. Martinez and Ramirez, whose families live across the street from each other, were childhood friends. And on Sunday, their families huddled together for comfort.

Ramirez graduated from Buena High School last year and was searching for a job, family members said. He wanted to get married, they said.

“You could lean on him. He was always there for us,” said his 15-year-old sister, Maribel Ramirez.

Martinez’s godfather, David Martinez of Oxnard, said he was angered by the senseless killings. “We’ve had this problem for so long--shootouts. These are innocent people, well-educated and responsible. They didn’t have any right to have their life taken away.”

Hector Martinez, who flew in from UC Davis hours earlier, remembered his brother’s dreams. He said Rolando Martinez had recently been accepted at UC Davis as a transfer student and was saving his money to attend.

“He wanted to go into business. He already had his classes. He was employed at Sizzler’s. It just seemed like he had everything going for him,” Hector Martinez said, fighting back tears.

His brother always steered clear of gangs and told others to do the same, Hector Martinez said.

“Rolando was really involved with the kids around here, encouraging them to get off the streets,” he said. “My mom was always really proud of him because he always stayed out of trouble. Now she just has a big void. It just hurts everybody.”

A week ago, Hector Martinez was home on spring break. On Sunday he was back to prepare his parents, brothers and sisters for his brother’s funeral.

“It is impossible to believe he is gone.”