Photo: All photos courtesy of Lompoc PD
Written By: Robert L. McCullough
Santa Barbara County, Ca. December 13, 2022 – A 20-year-old Lompoc resident Benito Martinez was arrested on the morning of December 10th , suspected of having fired multiple shots that left his 22-year-old victim dying on a city sidewalk.
According to Lompoc Police Department spokesman Sgt. Vincent Magallon, uniformed patrol units responded to a reported shooting just before midnight on December 9th. Upon arrival, the cops found the victim “on the ground with multiple bullet wounds.” While paramedics arrived shortly thereafter, administered first aid and promptly transported 22-year-old Lompoc resident Victor DeLuna to the hospital, he succumbed to his wounds.
The immediately ensuring investigation identified Martinez as the shooter. He had fled the scene on foot, but was located just a few hours later and taken into custody. He was then transported to the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail, where he was charged with murder, and possession of a concealed unregistered firearm. He remains in custody with his bail set at $2,000,000.
