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Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Wednesday February 19th, 2020 :: 02:44 p.m. PST

Community

Murder Investigation

Nature of Incident: Murder Investigation
Report Number: 20-5499
Location: 2700 block of Alvarado Street, El Rio, CA
Date & Time: January 11, 2020 @ 12:38 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Headquarters Patrol Station
Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit
Sheriff’s Gang Unit
 
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

City of Residence

Age
 
(V) Pete Mendez
(S) Unknown
 
 
Oxnard
 
21
Narrative:
 
 
 
 
 
On January 11, 2020 at about 12:38 AM, the Sheriff’s Communication Center received a call of shots fired in the unincorporated area of El Rio.  Deputies responded to the area and located a male victim with a gunshot wound.  The victim was treated by emergency medical personnel and transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  The victim has been identified as Pete Mendez, a resident of the City of Oxnard.
 
The investigation has determined the victim was traveling in a car north along Alvarado Street when the occupant(s) of another car shot at the victim’s vehicle. At least one of the bullets fatally struck the victim.  Investigators believe the shooting may have been gang related but have not yet established a motive for the murder.
 
Ventura County Sheriff’s Homicide Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance to develop leads in this case.  If you witnessed the incident or know someone who may have knowledge of the incident, please call Detective Steven Jenkins at (805) 384-4727 or make anonymous reports to Ventura County Crime Stoppers.    
 
Prepared by: Sergeant Steven Jenkins  
 
 
 
News Release Date:
 
 
 
 
02/19/2020
 
Media Follow-Up Contact: Captain Eric Hatlee
[email protected]
(805) 947-8253
 
 
Approved by:
 
 
Booking Photo Release:
Captain Brian Slominski
 
 
YES     NO  
 
           
 
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
 

Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511

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