Parlier’s son says the man who killed his father wanted to kill him

PARLIER, Calif. (KFSN) – A Parlier man faced the man in court Monday who prosecutors say killed his father and tried to kill him in 2021.

“I was shot in the stomach,” said Israel Trevino III. “Twice in the stomach, twice in the pelvis and once in the eye.”

Trevino III made his statement just feet away from the man accused of shooting him, Joe Gomez Jr.

The 63-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty and is now on trial for murder, attempted murder and assault.

“The defendant pulled out a firearm and pointed it at Jr. Jr. charged at the defendant, who was fatally shot,” said Assistant District Attorney Nicole Idiart.

The violent incident left Israel Trevino Jr., a retired correctional officer, dead. It happened outside this home in Parlier near El Rancho Market.

Prosecutors say Gomez had been causing trouble for years by driving erratically in front of the Trevino family’s home and revving his truck’s engine – including on the day of the shooting.

“He passed once, he passed twice, he passed three times,” Trevino III said. “I’ve never seen a pickup truck stop in the middle of the road to rev its engine. That’s not normal.”

Trevino III says Gomez eventually parked and walked toward the family’s home.

“He said your grandfather was talking (expletive) on Facebook,” Trevino III testified during the incident.

Moments later, Trevino III said, Gomez pulled out a gun, shot his father and then turned it on him.

The defendant’s attorney and Action News legal expert Tony Capozzi says there is conflicting evidence and he claims Gomez acted in self-defense.

“The defendant was pushed and knocked down,” Capozzi said. “And as he was being knocked down by Izzy, a shot went off from his gun.”

The judge said attorneys would complete their evidence by the end of the week and hand the case over to the jury.

If convicted, Joe Gomez Jr. could face life in prison.

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