Police Arrest Teen in Shooting at Party

A Santa Paula man suspected in the gang-related shooting of a party-goer is being held in Ventura County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, authorities said.

Mauricio Reyes, 19, was being held Sunday in lieu of $250,000 bail, according to a jail spokeswoman.

Reyes was arrested at 10:52 a.m. Sunday while riding in a car in the 200 block of California Street, according to Santa Paula Police Sgt. Steven Carter.

“An officer saw him riding in a vehicle, and he was taken into custody,” Carter said.

Reyes is accused of shooting Richard Romero Jr., 26, in the legs, during a gang fight Friday night at a house in the 100 block of South Ojai Street, authorities said.

Santa Paula police say Romero was attending the party when gang members began fighting with party-goers. Romero suffered minor gunshot wounds to both legs, and was treated and released.

California Street is about four blocks west of where the fight took place.

Police are still searching for other suspects, including the person who threw a chair at another party-goer, Irma Lopez, 38, causing a large cut in her forehead, Carter said.

Lopez also was treated and released.