Police Arrest 2 in Shooting Case

A gang member and his friend have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a shooting in Santa Paula in which four rival gang members and two young children were fired at, police said Wednesday.

Santa Paula gang member Jacob Sebastian, 20, and a 16-year-old boy were arrested at their homes about 7 a.m. when police served two search warrants, Police Cmdr. Bob Gonzales said.

Police searched two condos on the 200 block of Palm Avenue, Gonzales said. Ammunition matching the caliber used in the shooting was found at both homes, as well as clothes similar to descriptions given to police, Gonzales said.

The shooting occurred Sunday when four rival gang members, a 12-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl were traveling in the 200 block of Palm Avenue and a gunshot shattered their vehicle’s rear window, Gonzales said. No one was injured.

“Some gang signs were flashed at one another and then the shot was fired,” Gonzales said.

After the shooting, the victims told police they had seen several rival gang members standing on a Palm Avenue sidewalk. Gonzales said no other suspects were being sought. It was unclear who fired the shot and police have not recovered the gun.

Sebastian remained jailed Wednesday night in lieu of $250,000 bail. The 16-year-old boy remained in custody at Juvenile Hall.

Police also arrested Sebastian’s brother, 21-year-old Jose Sebastian, on two outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court on charges of being an unlicensed and unregistered driver. He was not charged in connection with the shooting.