A Port Hueneme man has been sentenced to a 32-year term in state prison on an attempted murder conviction, with additional time for a firearm enhancement. Gabriel Torres, who faced the charges stemming from a December 2022 shooting, received his sentence after a jury conviction on July 31, 2025, detailing his physically violent actions and the potential danger he poses to society.
According to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, Torres drove to the victim's residence in Oxnard, approached on foot via an alley, and discharged six shots from a handgun at close range, hitting the victim thrice. Torres then fled in his vehicle. Surveillance video contributed to his capture, showing a partial license plate and a man matching Torres' description.
Following a pursuit by Oxnard police officers on December 31, 2022, during which Torres discarded a 9mm pistol from his car, authorities linked the discarded weapon to the crime through forensic analysis. This critical piece of evidence solidified the case against Torres, while the severity of the victim’s injuries and the conclusive forensic evidence underscored the callous nature of the offense.
"The defendant’s violent conduct with the use of a gun is deserving of a lengthy prison sentence," said Chief Assistant District Attorney Lisa Lyytikainen. "The comprehensive investigation by our law enforcement partners, along with our aggressive prosecution, reflect our commitment to hold violent offenders accountable in Ventura County." Cell phone location data also helped to corroborate Torres' location at the time of the attack, which left the victim hospitalized for two weeks.
Torres was convicted of attempted murder, under Penal Code 664/187(a), with special allegations of the personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and being armed with and using a weapon, among others. These findings highlighted the dangerous and violent nature of his acts, as well as the threat he posed to the community.
