OXNARD : Man Shot to Death in Bar Parking Lot

A man was shot to death early Thursday in the parking lot of an Oxnard bar and restaurant, police said.

Victor M. Leanos, 37, was pronounced dead at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard less than an hour after the shooting, which police said occurred about 12:05 a.m.

Sgt. Denny Phillips of the Oxnard Police Department said the victim was shot twice in the upper back with a handgun or rifle.

The slaying apparently took place shortly after Leanos parked his car at the Pancho Villa Restaurant & Bar on West Hueneme Road.

“Maybe somebody speculated they could rob him and something went amiss,” Phillips said. However, he said, $13, a ring and a watch were untouched.

Bartender Jose Luis said the victim was the brother of the bar’s owner, Damaso Leanos. The owner could not be reached for comment.

So far, no witnesses have come forward, no weapon has been recovered, and no motive has been established for the slaying, Phillips said.

He asked anyone who has information about the slaying to call the Oxnard Police Department at 984-4749.

The Ventura County coroner’s office said the death was the 41st homicide of the year in the county, compared with 17 during the same period last year.