A man accused of fatally shooting a fellow Vista resident late last year pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder and other charges.
Hilario Jaimes, 28, faces 80 years to life in state prison if convicted of the Dec. 29 shooting death of Oscar Ivan Hernandez, who was shot shortly before 1 a.m. in the 400 block of Massachusetts Avenue in Vista.
Deputies responding to a disturbance call that day found Hernandez suffering from at least one gunshot wound, according to San Diego County sheriff’s Lt. Thomas Seiver. The 30-year-old victim was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Jaimes was arrested nearly a month later, though sheriff’s officials did not disclose how he was identified as a suspect.
Authorities have also not disclosed a suspected motive in the killing nor the relationship, if any, between Jaimes and the victim.
In addition to murder, Jaimes is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say he has a 2018 assault with a deadly weapon conviction out of North County.
Jaimes is being held without bail and his next court date is a March 5 readiness conference.
— City News Service
