A Fresno County jury found Joe Gomez Jr. guilty on Monday afternoon of killing a former state corrections officer who was a bass player in the local band Los Hooligans.

The jury found Gomez guilty of first-degree murder for the May 2, 2021, shooting death of Israel Trevino Jr.; guilty of attempted murder for the shooting of his son, Israel Trevino III, also known as Izzy; and guilty of assault with a deadly weapon for pulling his knife on Trevino Jr.’s uncle, Vinny.

Gomez sat silently, not reacting as the court clerk read the verdicts. The jury received the case after five days of testimony last Friday. Starting deliberations on Monday, the six-female, six-male jury took about six hours to render their decision.

Family members of both the victims and defendant sat in court, some sobbing.

“I am pleased with the verdict and thank the jurors for their time and dedication to the case.  The Trevino family deserved justice, and that is what they got with this verdict,” prosecutor Nicole Idiart told GV Wire.

Jury finds Joe Gomez Jr. guilty of first-degree murder of Israel Trevino Jr. Trevino was a former corrections officer and bass player for #conjunto
band Los Hooligans. pic.twitter.com/uV6GezFWHr

—
David Taub (@TaubGVWire) July
16, 2024

Defense attorney Tony Capozzi made a self-defense argument to no avail. He called the verdict “very surprising.”

He said he would make a motion to throw out the verdict in consideration of a lesser offense.

Gomez faces 85 years to life at his sentencing.

What Happened Three Years Ago?

All three Trevinos played in a conjunto band, known in the Central Valley and Texas. Trevino Jr. played bass.

During testimony, Izzy Trevino and other family members testified that Gomez had a history of driving his car in front of the Parlier home of Israel Trevino Sr. — the deceased victim’s father — and revving the engine. That also happened on the day of the incident.

As the Trevinos sat in their garage playing music, according to testimony, Gomez got out of his vehicle, a scuffle broke out. Gomez pulled out his gun, shooting and killing Trevino Jr., and injuring Trevino III.

Vinny Trevino, was able to wrestle away the gun. He testified that Gomez pulled a knife on him to get the gun back. Gomez then drove away and was pulled over by police a short time later.

Capozzi argued that because Gomez retreated, walking backward during the incident, he used self-defense when Trevino Jr. and Trevino III continued the attack.

“He felt as though his life was in danger. He tried to defend himself,” Capozzi said after the verdict.

Capozzi said that Gomez carried the weapons legally, He worked as a security guard.

Sentencing takes place Sept. 10, in the courtroom of Judge Arlan Harrell.