Prosecutor Won’t File Charges in Slaying
Prosecutors on Tuesday declined to file murder charges against a Thousand Oaks tow-truck driver implicated in the shooting death of an acquaintance, saying officials need to investigate more.
Bradley Neill Raville, 42, claimed he killed Juan Elijio Carranza in self-defense after an attempted robbery on May 20. Carranza, 35, was found dead in the passenger seat of a tow truck that Raville owns.
Raville told investigators that he picked up Carranza to help with a tow and that Carranza pulled a pistol and tried to rob him. Raville said he used a handgun hidden under his seat to shoot Carranza during the alleged robbery attempt in front of Raville’s business near Los Feliz and Skyline drives in Thousand Oaks.
Hours after the shooting, Ventura County deputies arrested Raville at his home. They also arrested Carranza’s girlfriend for allegedly possessing nearly 11 grams of methamphetamine. But she was released from jail shortly afterward and not charged with any crimes.
Investigators and prosecutors declined to comment about the case any further.
“The investigation continues,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Dee Corona said.
Jailers said Raville would be released from custody.
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