Lompoc police continuing investigation of Monday homicide

LOMPOC, Calif. - Detectives with the Lompoc Police Department are investigating a deadly shooting that took place Monday evening.

Police said the shooting occurred on the 700 block of Chestnut Avenue near North O Street. Multiple residents reported hearing gunshots in the area around 8 p.m. Monday.

At the scene, officers located a 30-year-old man suffering from a single gunshot wound. He was taken to Lompoc Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Detective Sergeant Vincent Magallon said Tuesday that police believe the shooting is gang-related, but that detectives do not believe that the victim was specifically targeted.

“It appears to be… almost like an innocent victim situation where he just was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Sgt. Magallon said. “Last night’s incident, I would say, is more of an isolated incident. I would just tell people to be vigilant as far as what they see and report anything they do see to the police department.”

Neighbors say they heard the shooting in the alley northeast of the intersection, and that the victim then ran across Chestnut and toward O Street before collapsing. One neighbor reported hearing just one shot, which at the time he believed to be a firework going off.

Blood marks were still visible on Chestnut Avenue Tuesday afternoon.

Sgt. Magallon said Tuesday that police do not yet know which gang was involved in the shooting. He added that Lompoc Police have some surveillance video but are looking to acquire more in order to identify the suspect or suspects.

Police say this is the third homicide in Lompoc this year, and that the pandemic has not led to an overall increase or decrease in violent crime.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lompoc Police Department