A Porterville gang member was convicted this week of first-degree murder in the 2023 killing of a rival gang member at a local motel, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office said.

A jury found Oscar Zavala, 29, guilty late Wednesday afternoon following a bifurcated trial stemming from the July 10, 2023, shooting. Zavala was also convicted of using a firearm in the killing and, in a separate phase of the trial, of committing the crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

The shooting occurred about 1:45 a.m. at a Porterville motel, where surveillance video showed Zavala and the victim briefly exchanging words as they passed each other. Zavala then went to his room and exited about a minute later, according to prosecutors. Footage showed Zavala approach the victim and fire a single shot before both men fled the area.

The victim’s body was discovered later that morning after he collapsed in a secluded area of the motel, authorities said.

Investigators found a convenience store receipt for an alcoholic drink in Zavala’s motel room. Surveillance video from the store showed Zavala wearing the same clothing seen in the motel footage, prosecutors said. Zavala was taken into custody a few days later at a home in Porterville.

Zavala was convicted Jan. 16, at the South County Justice Center of first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement. Under Assembly Bill 333, gang allegations must be tried separately from the charged crime. On Wednesday, the jury convicted Zavala of the special circumstance that the murder was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang and constituted street terrorism.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 17, when Zavala faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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