Trial date set for 3 suspected of shooting at Mesa Marin Sporting Complex

MELANIE NGUYEN, The Bakersfield Californian
·2 min read

A trial date was selected Thursday in Kern County Superior Court for three of five co-defendants suspected of a shooting at the Mesa Marin Sporting Complex in September 2021 and a second assault a few months later.

Eric Faria, Francisco Garcia and Ulyses Zelayandia are all suspected of shooting Mario Bravo at Mesa Marin Sports Complex in September 2021 with co-defendants Fernando Ulices Alonso and Uriel Ramirez.

Faria, Garcia, Zelayandia and Ramirez are also suspected of shooting a grandfather-grandson pair outside a rap studio in the 1800 block of Kentucky Street on Christmas Eve 2021.

Faria is charged with one count of first degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm on a person, two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle, four counts of carrying a loaded firearm in public as a criminal street gang member and two counts of participating in a street gang.

Garcia is charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm on a person, two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle, four counts of carrying a loaded firearm in public as a criminal street gang member, and two counts of participating in a street gang.

Zelayandia is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm on a person, two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle, two counts of carrying a loaded firearm in public as a criminal street gang member, and one count of participating in a street gang.

Faria is being represented by Deputy Public Defender Thomas Pope, Garcia is being represented by defense attorney Monica Bermudez and Zelayandia is being represented by defense attorney Victor Nasser.

Faria, Garcia and Zelayandia are scheduled to have their trial begin Aug. 5 following a readiness hearing set for July 26. Alonso and Ramirez are scheduled to have their pre-preliminary hearing Aug. 7.