Judge orders Macias held for trial in 2010 double shooting
December 23, 2011
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
A Superior Court judge found sufficient evidence and continued a multi-million dollar bail to hold a Ventura man for trial in connection with the 2010 gang-related shooting of two young men in Santa Paula that left one victim with critical injuries.
During a preliminary December 14 hearing, Judge Kevin DeNoce also ordered that bail for 42-year-old Lucas Macias - who has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges - be kept at $2.8 million. Charges against Macias include two counts of assault with a firearm, committing the crime for the benefit of a Santa Paula street gang, and street terrorism.
Macias was arrested September 30, 2010, less than two weeks after he drove up to an East Santa Ana Street apartment complex, exited the car and went around to a back courtyard where a party was being held. Numerous witnesses and anonymous tipsters told Santa Paula Police investigators it was shortly after 9 p.m. that Macias, who was classified as a gang member, suddenly appeared in the courtyard where up to 20 people were sitting.
Macias, according to witnesses, asked, “Do you bang?” before he opened fire, striking Luis Hernandez, 19, in the stomach. The second victim, Damian Magana, 19, was shot in the leg.
People scattered as Macias fired up to three shots before he turned and left the courtyard. Both men were transported to Ventura County Medical Center, with Hernandez treated for critical injuries.
Following the investigation, Macias was later taken into custody without incident at about 6 a.m. when Santa Paula and Ventura Police served a search warrant at his home in the 11100 block of Citrus Drive in Ventura. Due to Macias’ gang affiliations and the nature of the crime, VPD Gang Investigators and SWAT team members also assisted with the arrest.
