15-Year-Old Charged in Slaying at Mall
The Ventura County district attorney charged a 15-year-old Oxnard youth with murder Tuesday in connection with the shooting of another teen at the Centerpoint Mall while dropping charges against two other suspects.
Prosecutors will also seek to have the newly charged youth tried as an adult, and that hearing is scheduled for Feb. 29. Because of his age, officials would only identify the teen as James M.
A 16-year-old male and Victor Aguilar, 22, who were also arrested last Friday in connection with the slaying, were released from jail Tuesday because “the Oxnard Police Department investigation has been unable to develop sufficient” evidence to prosecute the two, a spokesman with the D.A.’s office said.
Felipe Hernandez, 16, was shot once in the chest outside the Oxnard shopping center on Jan. 25. Two of his friends dragged him inside the mall, and he died in front of the Mervyn’s department store as horrified shoppers and security guards tried to save him, witnesses said.
Witnesses told police that three youths chased Hernandez through the mall immediately before the shooting.
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