Oxnard man charged with murder in shooting death

VENTURA, Calif. - An Oxnard man has been charged with murder for a deadly shooting that took place Sunday morning.

Ventura County District Attorney Gregory Totten announced Thursday that Gabriel Cortez, 23, was charged in the death of Rogelio Lara of Oxnard.

The complaint charges one count of murder with a special allegation that Cortez used a firearm during the crime. 

The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. on the 3500 block of Harbor Boulevard in Oxnard. Lara was sitting in the driver's seat of his truck while parked in a lot. Police say a man approached his vehicle and shot him multiple times. Lara died at the scene.

Later that night, Cortez was arrested by police for illegal possession of firearms. While in custody, Cortez was arrested in connection to Lara's death.

Cortez appeared in court on Thursday to face the murder charges. He pleaded not guilty and is due in court again in two weeks.

He is currently in custody with bail set at $750,000.