A Kern County Jury has found Angelo Cabezuela guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 34-year-old Arthur Medina. The jury also found true that Cabezuela committed the murder by intentionally discharging a firearm causing the death of Medina.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy DA Jordan Houle.
On the early morning of January 18, 2022, Cabezuela and two others were in a stopped Nissan Altima in the 2200 Block of Steele Avenue when the victim rode up to them on his bicycle and began to speak with a passenger in the vehicle. As the other two passengers swapped seats, Cabezuela exited the front passenger seat of the Altima. A few seconds later, he pulled out a revolver from his backpack and fired four to five shots at the victim. Mr. Medina was struck three times and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Cabezuela then got back into the Nissa Altima with the other passengers and fled the scene.
Assistant DA Joseph Kinzel commented: “Unprovoked gun violence carries substantial consequences, and murders carried out with firearms face some of the most significant penalties under the law. Cabezuela’s anticipated 50 years-to-life prison sentence takes a killer off the streets and ensures that Cabezuela will no longer threaten public safety.”
A court trial to determine aggravating factors is scheduled for April 1, 2026 before the Honorable David R. Zulfa. A sentencing hearing will follow, at which the defendant, Angelo Cabezuela, faces a potential sentence of up to 50 years to life in prison