Cameron Stokes, a 16-year-old Black male from Valencia, California, was a high school student with his life ahead of him. His life was cut short in a burst of gunfire that also claimed the life of 25-year-old Brian Chevez of Santa Clarita.
On the morning of March 18, 2023, at approximately 10:50 a.m., Cameron and Brian were near the pool area at The Village Apartment Homes on Valle del Oro in Newhall.
According to witnesses, a man reached over the wrought-iron fence surrounding the pool, fired a gun multiple times, and then fled toward the apartment complex’s parking lot. Paramedics who responded to the scene found that both Cameron and Brian had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their upper torsos. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrived within minutes of the shooting. Based on witness descriptions of the suspect and a getaway vehicle, deputies stopped a white car near Via Princessa and Sierra Highway. They detained the two young men inside as persons of interest. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Anthony Martinez Ortiz, an 18-year-old from Sylmar, and an unidentified juvenile accomplice. Investigators stated their belief that the shooting was gang-related.
Both Ortiz and his juvenile co-defendant were charged with two counts of murder. At his arraignment, Ortiz pleaded not guilty and was ordered held on $2 million bail. The juvenile suspect was charged in juvenile court.
Since the initial court appearances in the spring of 2023, the case has continued through the legal system. In later proceedings, the District Attorney’s office identified the juvenile co-defendant as the shooter. Ortiz has reportedly attempted to negotiate a plea deal. The case remains pending in litigation, with ongoing court hearings scheduled through 2025 and 2026.
