On August 31, 2010, Defendant Marco Ambriz, 18 years old from Pixley, Noel Ambriz, 17 years old from Tipton, and Juan Ramirez, 16 years old from Pixley, were all found guilty of numerous felonies by a Tulare County jury. The defendants were found guilty of shooting at a residence, and doing so from a vehicle. The acts were further found to be for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

On June 23, 2008, the defendants, all gang members, drove to a residence in Tipton. The house was believed to be occupied by rival gang members. Upon pulling up to the residence shots were fired from the vehicle at the residence. Juan Ramirez was the driver, Marco Ambriz was the front passenger, and Noel Ambriz was the rear passenger. Officers set up a mobile perimeter and apprehended the defendants. Prior to law enforcement pulling over the vehicle, the defendant Marco Ambriz threw a .357 revolver out of the car window. No one was injured at the residence, however a bullet was recovered from the home. The Department of Justice was able to match that bullet to the firearm recovered by police that had been in the possession of the defendants and thrown out of the car prior to the officers detaining the defendants. There was also gunshot residue located inside and outside of the vehicle.

The jury trial started on August 16 and the case went to the jury on Friday, August 27. The jury returned
their verdict at 1:00 p.m. today, August 31st. The defendants all face life in prison when sentenced.

The case was investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department. The lead investigators were Mike Yandell and Rod Klassen.

Contact Person: Shani Jenkins, Assistant District Attorney (559) 733-6411