Acrylic nail found near deadly shooting, CA officials say. Now, couple convicted

A couple has been convicted in a shooting that left a man’s ex-girlfriend dead, California officials said.

In March 2024, 38-year-old Jorge Garfias lured his ex-girlfriend, Yanelly Vargas, 30, out from a bar in Oxnard via text, according to a Sept. 5 news release by the Ventura County District Attorney. Previously, the Oxnard Police Department said Vargas was 35-years-old.

Garfias and his new girlfriend, Margarita Jimenez, 34, took Vargas to an alley and began beating her, prosecutors said.

She tried to escape but Garfias and Jimenez followed her in his truck, officials said.

Jimenez was seen leaving the truck and running after Vargas with a gun, officials said, adding Jimenez shot Vargas in the chest.

Officials didn’t specify what led to the shooting.

Officers found a blood trail at the scene, shell casings, blood-stained rope and acrylic nails that matched Jimenez at the time of her arrest, officials said.

An autopsy confirmed Vargas died from a gunshot wound, and had blunt force injuries and signs of strangulation, officials said.

Garfias and Jimenez were arrested in April 2024, officials said.

Jimenez was convicted on charges of murder and personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, officials said.

Garfias was convicted on a murder charge, officials said.

Oxnard is about 60-mile drive northwest from downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Acrylic nail found near deadly shooting, CA officials say. Now, couple convicted."