Suspected Gang Member Held in Fatal Shooting of 13-Year-Old

A reported gang member was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in the accidental fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy last week, police said Thursday.

The 16-year-old, whom police would not identify because of his age, was arrested without incident Wednesday and was booked into Ventura County Juvenile Hall, Oxnard Police Cmdr. Joe Munoz said.

Investigators believe the teen was playing with a small-caliber handgun Feb. 16 while smoking marijuana inside a van when the gun went off, sending a bullet into the face of Carlos Martinez. Carlos, who is not a gang member, died the next evening.

While the arrest came as good news for city leaders who are spending millions of dollars to reduce juvenile crime, it also serves as a reminder of the dangers of guns.

“The tragedy continues when young people are involved in situations such as this,” Mayor Manny Lopez said.

At the time of the shooting, Carlos, the 16-year-old and another reported gang member, whom police also have not identified, were in a parked van owned by Carlos’ uncle in an alley off Charles Street in the 200 block of Campbell Way.

As the three smoked marijuana, the 16-year-old pulled out a gun and passed it around, Munoz said.

The 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter because using drugs while playing with a loaded gun constitutes gross negligence, Munoz said.

The teen also was booked on suspicion of being a gang member in possession of a firearm. Police, however, have not recovered the gun involved in the shooting.