Alejandro Drowsy Hernandez, a 21-year-old resident of Ventura, California, tragically lost his life on January 18, 2020, in a deadly shooting that took place in a public parking structure located at Harbor Boulevard and California Street. The incident, which marked Ventura's first murder of 2020, was reported to be gang-related. According to police reports, the shooting occurred around 2:45 AM when a 911 call was received about a shooting victim at the top level of the parking structure.
Upon arrival, patrol officers found Hernandez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite being treated by Ventura City Fire and transported to the Ventura County Medical Center, Hernandez succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation revealed that the crime involved two groups of people. Hernandez was part of a group standing outside a red Ford Mustang when they were approached by another group in a white sedan. A confrontation ensued, during which one individual from the sedan opened fire on Hernandez's group. The red Mustang fled the scene but later crashed in Oxnard, leading to the detention of three of its occupants by the California Highway Patrol and Ventura police. One person initially fled but was subsequently apprehended.
The primary suspect, 24-year-old Raymond Bolanos, was arrested and charged with murder and gang enhancement. Bolanos had a history of prior convictions, including carrying a concealed firearm and gang enhancement. Alongside Bolanos, 26-year-old Julian Nunez was arrested for a parole violation warrant and had prior convictions for carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon. Another individual, 23-year-old Stephanie Sanchez, was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant and had a prior conviction for possession of a loaded firearm.
The legal proceedings against Bolanos and Nunez were extensive. Bolanos was charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Nunez faced charges of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both men were also accused of committing the crimes for the benefit of a Santa Paula street gang. During their trial, the jury found both defendants guilty of the underlying charges and the special allegations that the crimes were gang-related. Bolanos was sentenced to 109 years and four months to life in state prison, while Nunez received a sentence of 19 years and four months in state prison.
The tragic death of Alejandro Hernandez highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence in Ventura and the surrounding areas. The swift response by law enforcement and the subsequent legal actions taken against the perpetrators underscored the community's commitment to addressing and mitigating gang-related crimes.
