Edhat StaffUpdate by Santa Barbara District Attorney
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that felony charges have been filed against Fernando Navarro, 19, of Santa Maria, in connection with the February 3, 2018, shooting death of Leonardo Navarro, also of Santa Maria. The felony complaint charges Involuntary Manslaughter, in violation of Penal Code section 192(b); Discharge of a Firearm with Gross Negligence, in violation of Penal Code 246.3; and Unlawful Firearm Activity, in violation of Penal Code 29815. In addition to those charges, special allegations that Mr. Navarro personally used a firearm and inflicted great bodily injury are also alleged.
Mr. Navarro entered a not guilty plea in Department 9 of the Santa Maria Superior Court and will next appear at 8:30 a.m., February 15, 2018, in Department 6 of Santa Maria Superior Court for setting of a preliminary hearing.
Bail was set at $130,000.
Update by Santa Maria Police Department
Shooting victim dies as a result of his gunshot wound.
The 13-year-old victim of a shooting from Saturday has died as a result of his gunshot wound. The victim has been identified as Leonardo Navarro, a resident of Santa Maria.
This investigation is still ongoing.
Source: Santa Maria Police Department
On February 3, 2018 at 12:03 pm patrol officers were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of W. Polk regarding a shooting. Upon arriving they found a 13 year old male suffering from a gunshot wound. The juvenile was taken to a hospital in Santa Barbara by air ambulance.
Detectives conducted an investigation and arrested the juvenile’s brother, Fernando Navarro for Shooting Firearm in Grossly Negligent Manner and Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited by Court Order. Navarro was booked into jail on the listed charges.
It was reported as an accidental shooting.
Certainly not enough training in how to handle them safely, that’s for sure. Wasn’t there an organization that focused on such training? It was quite rigorous as I recall when I became a member, 50 years ago, at the tender age of 11. Now it just represents manufacturers and lobbying for the greater ease in their sale and distribution.
Whoever gave that kid access to their weapon should also go to jail for a good stint. If people won’t use common sense then maybe some jail terms are appropriate.
Another clue that firearms are just too easy too procure!!
He can’t even comb his hair, who in their right mind would let him hold a gun! I’m not an anti-gun person but I do believe they should be harder to get these days.