Police Free Suspect in Shooting Death

An Oxnard man who spent two days in Ventura County Jail in connection with the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy at a party last weekend was released for lack of evidence, authorities said.

On Tuesday, Luis Ruiz, 30, was freed after authorities determined there was not enough evidence to hold him in the shooting of Hugo Meza of Oxnard.

Meza was shot in the head early Sunday during a fight at a going-away party in the 300 block of Peoples Avenue in Camarillo.

He died Monday at a local hospital.

Sheriff’s Capt. Bill Montijo said the fight broke out after someone knocked over a piece of lighting equipment belonging to mobile disc jockey David Munoz, 34, of Oxnard.

Ruiz was Munoz’s assistant, and apparently started the fight, authorities said.

As several people tried to break up the melee, shots were fired from as many as two handguns. Meza was struck in the head, and Jose Espinosa, 18, of Oxnard, was wounded in the leg, authorities said.

Both Munoz and Ruiz were arrested in connection with Meza’s shooting.

On Wednesday, Munoz was being held at the County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder. Bail is $250,000.