A deadly shooting occurred in the public parking structure on Harbor Blvd. next to the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel last Saturday resulting in the death of a 21 year old man. This is the first murder to happen in Ventura and police say the motive for this murder does appear to be gang related.
On January 18, at approximately 2:45am, a 911 call was received regarding a shooting victim at the top level of the Harbor Bl parking structure in Ventura. Patrol officers responded and located one victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was treated by Ventura City Fire and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Police said the crime occurred when one group was outside of their vehicle and the suspect vehicle approached them. The two groups started fighting when one person inside the vehicle shot at the group outside. Witnesses indicated the suspects fled in a vehicle, which CHP located and pursued ending up in Oxnard where the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road.
Ventura police detained three of the occupants from the vehicle, but one fled the scene and was later detained. Murder suspect, 24 year old Raymond Bolanos, was arrested and booked in the Ventura County Jail for murder and gang enhancement.
Bolanos’ bail has been set at $610,000 and he’s scheduled to appear in Ventura Superior Court on September 22. A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows Bolanos has prior convictions for carrying a concealed firearm, gang enhancement and a hit and run.
Of the other detained occupants from the vehicle, 26 year old Julian Nunez was arrested for a parole violation warrant and has prior convictions of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon and battery with serious injury, and 23 year old Stephanie Sanchez was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant. She has a prior conviction of possession of a loaded firearm.
