VENTURA, CA — Kristian Fonseca of Oxnard was convicted Thursday of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in connection with separate shootings in 2019 and 2020 that left two men dead.
The convictions stem from violent encounters that prosecutors say were gang-related, including one incident where Fonseca continued firing at close range after victims had fallen to the ground. Fonseca faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced May 14, 2026, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. The case represents one of the most significant gang violence prosecutions in recent years for the county.
The first shooting occurred in October 2019 along Ventura Avenue when Fonseca was driving with two friends and spotted two men standing near a food truck on East Simpson Street. According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, one of the men was asked “Where are you from?” before Fonseca opened fire with a shotgun. One victim was hit multiple times and suffered life-threatening injuries requiring emergency surgery and resulting in long-term medical complications. Surveillance video captured portions of the shooting, and investigators recovered four spent shotgun shells from the scene. Neither of the men who were targeted were gang members, prosecutors noted.
The deadly encounter took place on October 24, 2020, when Fonseca attended a front yard gathering in Santa Paula where three rival gang members approached from down the street. The trio had been involved in escalating verbal confrontations earlier that day, and the interactions turned violent when one of the three men and Fonseca fought in the street, according to prosecutors. After the physical altercation, Fonseca retrieved a gun and opened fire on the group, hitting and killing Jose Estrada and Daniel Zuniga. Evidence showed that Fonseca continued to fire at close range after the victims had fallen, including while one of the men pleaded for his life, the District Attorney’s Office stated. Officers recovered ten 9mm shell casings from the scene, most found near where Estrada and Zuniga had fallen, though the gun used in the shooting was never recovered.
Estrada was declared dead at the scene while Zuniga was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Zuniga remained on life support for two weeks before dying from his injuries. A third man, Rafael Hernandez, was struck by gunfire but survived the encounter, according to prosecutors. The shooting occurred amid ongoing territorial disputes between rival gang factions in the Santa Paula area, though authorities have not disclosed specific details about the gang affiliations involved. Fonseca was also convicted of one count of being in possession of a firearm less than ten years after a previous conviction, indicating a criminal history that prosecutors used to establish a pattern of violent behavior.
Fonseca was arrested three days after the Santa Paula shooting on a warrant connected to the first shooting incident from 2019. The investigation required coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies and extensive forensic analysis of ballistic evidence from both crime scenes. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that included witness testimony, surveillance footage, and physical evidence linking Fonseca to both shootings. The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Blake Heller, who emphasized the impact on victims’ families throughout the lengthy legal proceedings. Defense attorneys had argued that the evidence was circumstantial and questioned the reliability of witness identifications, but the jury ultimately found the prosecution’s case compelling.
“Justice in this case took time, but the victims’ families never lost faith in the process,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Blake Heller, who prosecuted the case. “They showed tremendous patience and strength in the face of unimaginable loss. We are grateful to the jury for their careful attention to the evidence and their service. Today’s verdict ensures the defendant will never again be a danger to society.” The convictions represent a significant victory for prosecutors who have been working to address gang violence in Ventura County through aggressive prosecution of repeat offenders.
Fonseca remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing scheduled for May 14, 2026, where he will face the mandatory life sentence without possibility of parole for the murder convictions. The attempted murder and firearm possession charges could result in additional prison time to be served concurrently with the life sentence.
!What is the deterrent? He will be with his gang member family. It’s time to stop coddling criminals. Until then why would any criminal have second thoughts about killing someone? There are way too many bleeding hearts that won’t wake up until it’s someone in their family!