Jesus Espinoza-Maldonado, 23, of Oxnard was shot on March 29, 2021, in Santa Barbara. The shooting occurred about 5:20 p.m. on Eucalyptus Hill Road near Salinas Street. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire; a vehicle was later seen crashing into a tree and catching fire. First responders found Espinoza-Maldonado inside the vehicle with severe gunshot wounds. He was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and died two days later.

Investigators arrested two juveniles, ages 15 and 17, from Santa Barbara on murder charges with gang-related special circumstances; their names have been withheld because of their age. A 39-year-old woman, Irene Fernandez, was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to a felony and charged with gang murder and use of a firearm. Police described the killing as gang-related and said it was the third gang-related homicide in Santa Barbara in 2021.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Santa Barbara Police Department.