Oxnard Man Sentenced for First-Degree Murder, Other Related Charges

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Willis Nichols (DOB 03/15/03), of Oxnard, has been sentenced to 94 years to life in prison for the  first-degree murder of Adrian Sandoval and other crimes.

The jury found Nichols guilty of seven  felony charges stemming from two separate shootings in Oxnard in December 2021 and March  2022. He was convicted on March 6, 2026, of first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a  semiautomatic firearm, attempted murder, and three counts of shooting at an occupied motor  vehicle.

Several special allegations and aggravating factors were also found to be true, including  personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, causing great bodily injury, and that the manner in  which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism. 

Senior Deputy District Attorney Theresa Pollara, a member of the Ventura County District  Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Homicides Unit, prosecuted the case. 

“While the defendant is young, he is a very dangerous man,” Ms. Pollara said. “The court’s  sentence and the findings of the jury reflect the danger he presents to society. The defendant  refused to control himself during trial and sentencing, laughing out loud when pictures of the  deceased victim were shown, including during victim impact statements and in the presence of  Mr. Sandoval’s 3-year-old child.” 

Due to his age at the time of the crime, California law will provide this convicted murderer with a  chance at youthful offender parole after just 24 years in prison. 

On December 24, 2021, Nichols opened fire in the Target parking structure at The Collection at  RiverPark in Oxnard. After a brief verbal confrontation between occupants of two vehicles, Nichols  retrieved a handgun and fired multiple rounds at a pickup truck as it attempted to leave the parking  structure. One victim was struck multiple times and suffered severe injuries requiring emergency surgery. Another occupant narrowly avoided being struck when a bullet traveled through the rear  window of the truck. Nichols fled the scene in a dark-colored Mustang. 

On March 12, 2022, Nichols carried out a second shooting at an underground party held inside an  abandoned Goodwill building on Saviers Road in Oxnard. Nichols went to the location with the sole  goal of executing Adrian Sandoval. Shortly after entering the building, Nichols approached a group of attendees and opened fire at close range. Mr. Sandoval was shot in the head and died at the  scene. Two additional victims were struck by gunfire, one suffering a gunshot wound to the  abdomen and another to the chest. Both of these additional victims survived. 

Nichols fled immediately after the shooting, running outside and entering the passenger side of the  waiting Mustang, which then sped away. 

Six days later, on March 18, 2022, Oxnard police officers located Nichols. He fled on foot but was  apprehended after a short pursuit. Officers recovered a backpack he discarded during the chase.  Inside was a loaded Glock handgun with a distinctive blue laser sight. Forensic analysis conducted  by the Ventura County Crime Lab confirmed that cartridge casings recovered from the Goodwill  crime scene were fired from that firearm. 

Case: 2022016583 

Defendant Information: 
Willis Nichols (DOB 03/15/03) 
Oxnard 

Charges convicted of: 

• PC 187(a) – Murder 
• (2 counts) PC 245(b) – Assault with a semiautomatic firearm 
• PC 664/187(a) – Attempted murder 
• PC 246 – Shooting at occupied motor vehicle 

Special allegations found true: 

• PC 189(a) – 1st degree murder 
• PC 12022.53(d) – Personal and intentional discharge of a firearm 
• CRC 4.421(a)(8) – The manner in which the crime was carried out  

indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism 

• CRC 4.421(b)(1) – Defendant has engaged in violent conduct and  indicates a serious danger to society 
• PC 12022.7(a) – GBI-In commission of felony 
• PC 12022.5(a)(1) – Use of firearm 

Willis Nichols stands in Courtroom 45  of the Ventura County Superior Court as  the verdict is read on March 4, 2026.