A Lompoc man has pleaded not guilty in Santa Barbara County Superior Court to murder and other charges in connection with a fatal shooting that left a 22-year-old father dead last week. 

Benito Martinez, 20, was taken into custody on Saturday, the day after his birthday. 

Emergency personnel were dispatched at 11:25 p.m. Friday to the 600 block of North Fourth Street regarding a shooting, Sgt. Vincent Magallon of the Lompoc Police Department said. 

Officers located a 22-year-old male on the ground with bullet wounds, police said.

Police administered life-saving measures until paramedics arrived, but the man died at a local hospital, Magallon added. 

The criminal complaint filed this week in court identified the victim as Victor De Luna of Lompoc.

In addition to murder, Martinez has been charged with having a concealed unregistered firearm on his person. He also faces several sentencing enhancements related to the firearm.

DeLuna’s family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses. 

“Our family cannot find the words to describe the grief and pain we are experiencing,” his sister, Sara De Luna, wrote.

“Our sweet Victor was only 22 years young. Victor was an incredible father to his 6-year-old son Anthony. A loving son, fiancé, uncle, brother, cousin and friend.”

Victor De Luna was born and raised in Goleta, and later moved to spend his teen years in Lompoc. 

“He became a young father and quickly adjusted his focus to his family. He was such an amazing dad to his baby boy Anthony. His son was his world. He worked so hard to provide for his family.

“Victor was a courageous, loyal, hard-working, and trustworthy person. If you knew Victor, you knew you could count on him for anything at any time. My little brother did NOT deserve this,” his sister wrote.

As of Wednesday, the effort had raised more than $6,500.

Martinez was ordered back to court Dec. 21 in Lompoc.

He remains in the custody of Northern Branch Jail with bail set at $2 million.