17-Year-Old Held on Suspicion of Attempted Murder
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SANTA PAULA — A 17-year-old Santa Paula boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly firing several rounds from a handgun at a group of gang members, authorities said Saturday.
No one was seriously injured during the incident Friday, but an 8-year-old boy suffered a cut on his leg, possibly from debris that sprayed when one of the bullets hit the pavement, authorities said.
About five other children were also in the vicinity, authorities said.
Bullets struck a car and a house during the incident, which occurred in the 100 block of South Ojai Street. Santa Paula Police Sgt. Ismael Cordero was on patrol in the area when the shooting occurred and heard the gunshots. When he arrived on the scene, the teen ran, authorities said.
Before he was taken into custody, the teen allegedly tossed the gun into the yard of a house. Police say they recovered the gun and arrested a second suspect, who they believe drove the shooter to the scene.
The alleged driver, Jose Martinez, 22, of Santa Paula was also being held on suspicion of attempted murder, and both suspects were jailed on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.
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