OCEANSIDE — An Oceanside man was behind bars June 20 for allegedly murdering a friend of his who was found fatally shot two weeks ago in a canyon alongside Interstate 5.
Osvaldo Sixtos Lopez, 36, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of gunning down 38-year-old Malietoa Rasmussen, according to the Oceanside Police Department.
Patrol officers responding to a report of an apparent gunshot victim off the 400 block of Country Club Lane in Oceanside found Rasmussen mortally wounded in a nearby gorge late on the morning of June 7, OPD Lt. Michael Provence said. The Oceanside resident was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lopez was taken into custody following a search of his home in the 1600 block of Kraft Street, less than a mile north of the spot where the victim was discovered.
Police have released no suspected motive for the shooting. The victim and the suspect were friends, the lieutenant said.
Lopez has been charged with murder and an allegation of using a firearm in the killing. He pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday afternoon in Vista Superior Court. He remains in custody without bail.
