Petitions for transfer to adult court have been filed against three men suspected in the Oct. 21, 2023 shooting death of an 18-year-old in Santa Maria, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office.

The three defendants, identified as R.S., M.V., and F.C., are each charged with one felony count of first degree murder and are additionally charged with a special circumstance for a murder committed to further the activities of a criminal street gang, as well as a special allegation for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The suspects are currently adults, however, they were juveniles when the murder occurred, so the petitions must be filed in juvenile court.

All three will be arraigned in Santa Maria Juvenile Court Department 1, on Tuesday, June 3.

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