Gabriel Victor Joseph Cueva, a 26-year-old resident of Ventura, California, tragically lost his life on May 29, 2022. The incident occurred in the unincorporated area of Saticoy, Ventura County. On that fateful evening, deputies responded to a disturbance call around 5:32 PM in the vicinity of Azahar Street and Alelia Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered Gabriel Cueva lying face down in the street, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, Cueva was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
The investigation into Cueva's death quickly led to the identification and arrest of a suspect. Julius Luna, an 18-year-old man from Ventura, was apprehended in Fresno County with the assistance of the Fresno Police Department. Luna was taken into custody on May 31, 2022, and subsequently booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. He faced charges of murder and was held on a $1.5 million bail. Luna's arraignment was scheduled for June 2, 2022, in Ventura County Superior Court.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office conducted an extensive investigation, which included procuring search warrants and gathering additional evidence linking Luna to the homicide. The motive behind the shooting and whether Luna knew Cueva remained unclear. The Sheriff's Office encouraged anyone with information or media related to the incident to come forward, offering the option to submit evidence anonymously.
This tragic event marked one of several homicides investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office in 2022. The community was urged to assist in the ongoing investigation to ensure justice for Gabriel Cueva and his family.
