Gang Member Convicted of Attempted Murder

SAN BERNARDINO>> A San Bernardino gang member was recently convicted of attempted murder for a 2015 shooting that occurred in the center lane of Base Line street in Highland. Gonzalo Ibanez, 23, of San Bernardino, was convicted of one count of attempted murder, one count of shooting at an occupied building, and one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle, with the jury finding true gun and gang enhancements. On Nov. 29, 2015, the defendant lost control of the van he was driving through San Bernardino and collided with the victim's vehicle. According to Deputy District Attorney Justin Croker, who prosecuted the case, Ibanez immediately tried to flee the scene in his van. "The victim wanted to make sure the police caught up to the defendant so he engaged in a pursuit while on the phone with 911 operators," Crocker said. The pursuit made its way to Base Line Street in Highland, where the defendant pulled into the center lane and stopped the car. The victim made a U-turn and began driving away from the defendant's location. "The victim heard several gun shots ring out a few seconds after making the U-turn," Crocker said. None of the bullets struck the victim or his vehicle, but one stray bullet flew into a nearby liquor store, missing the people inside. The victim was able to provide the license plate to the police, which led to locating the van abandoned in a parking stall of a trailer park near where the shooting took place. Ibanez faces 30 years to life in state prison when sentenced Jan. 27, 2017.