Archives for April 2023

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 30, 2023

SUBJECT: Person shot by police dies, name released

LOCATION: 235 East Seventh Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 8AM-6PM) alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org (after hours)

An Oxnard man who was shot by an Oxnard police officer on April 28, 2023, has succumbed to his injuries. The decedent has been identified as 24-year-old Michael Owens. Owens was declared deceased at approximately 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, April 29, at the Ventura County Medical Center.

The incident occurred in Oxnard on April 28, 2023, at approximately 12:15 A.M., at 235 East Seventh Street. Owens was reported to be hallucinating. Oxnard Fire Department personnel responded to the location to provide Owens with aid. Upon arrival, fire personnel saw that Owens was on the second floor of the building and was in possession of a knife and cutting himself. Fire personnel requested the police department respond to assist.

During the incident, Owens retreated into, then emerged from a community bathroom on the second floor with a knife in his hand, and walked directly toward an Oxnard Police Department officer, who was standing at an upper stair landing. The officer gave commands to Owens, but Owens ignored the commands. An officer-involved shooting occurred.

After the shooting, Owens received medical treatment from the fire department and EMS personnel that were already on scene. He was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center by ambulance for further treatment.

The Oxnard Police Department plans to release a critical incident community briefing video to the public, tentatively scheduled for sometime during the week of May 8, 2023. The video will provide an overview of the incident and will include some footage from the involved officer’s body-worn camera, footage from a nearby security camera, and provide the name of the involved officer.

Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has additional information contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755 or meagan.tobey@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 30, 2023

SUBJECT: Double Fatal Collision Involving Single Vehicle

LOCATION: Arcturus Avenue and McWane Boulevard

DRIVER: Adult Male (name withheld pending next of kin notification)

VEHICLE: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan

CONTACT: Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff, Traffic Investigator

(805) 385-7750 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | Andrew.pinkstaff@oxnardpd.org

On April 30, 2023, at approximately 7:08 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call for service of an injury traffic collision involving a single vehicle at the intersection of Arcturus Avenue and McWane Boulevard.

Upon arrival, officers located a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt sedan that collided into an electrical pole. Four adult males were found to be trapped inside the vehicle. The fire department quickly responded and extricated all four adult males from the vehicle using the “Jaws of Life.” Two of the adult males were transported to VCMC and are currently in stable condition. EMS immediately performed life-saving measures on the other two adult males but they both succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The driver of the vehicle is believed to be one of the adult males that succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed the driver was travelling westbound on McWane Boulevard approaching Arcturus Avenue when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with the electrical pole. Traffic Investigators are currently investigating the cause of the traffic collision. Investigators believe speed/reckless driving and alcohol were contributing factors to the collision. Witnesses, or anyone with information regarding this collision, are urged to contact Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff at (805) 385-7750 or via email at andrew.pinkstaff@oxnardpd.org.

If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 28, 2023, at approximately 12:15 A.M.

SUBJECT: Man with knife shot by Police

LOCATION: 235 East Seventh Street, Oxnard

SUSPECT: 24-year-old male, Oxnard resident, name withheld

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 8Am-6PM) alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org (after hours)

At approximately 12:15 A.M. on April 28, 2023, Oxnard police officers responded to 235 East Seventh Street to assist the Oxnard Fire Department regarding an uncooperative subject requiring medical attention. It was initially reported that the subject was hallucinating. Fire department personnel advised that the subject was on the second floor, was in possession of a knife, and had been cutting himself.

The subject went into a community bathroom on the second floor. The first police officer on the scene took a position at the top of the stairs. The subject emerged from the bathroom with a knife in his hand and then advanced directly toward the officer. The officer gave commands to the subject, and he did not comply. An officer-involved shooting occurred.

EMS personnel that were already on scene rendered aid to the subject, and then transported him to the Ventura County Medical Center. He is currently listed in critical condition.

The police officer was not injured.

The police officer's body-worn camera captured the entire incident, as did a nearby security camera. The Oxnard Police Department will share footage in a Community Critical Incident Debriefing, with a release date yet to be determined.

In accordance with standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation progresses.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, in conjunction with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, is investigating the incident. Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has additional information contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755 or meagan.tobey@oxnardpd.org.

UPDATE – NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 27, 2023

SUBJECT: Shooting Victim

LOCATION: 600 Block Pacific Avenue, Oxnard

VICTIM: 29-Year-Old Male Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Detective Ricardo Vega

(805) 385-8291 | ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org

UPDATE: The 29-year-old victim died of his injuries at approximately 5:13 A.M., at the Ventura County Medical Center.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Ricardo Vega (refer to the original news release below for further information).

On April 27^th at approximately 8:00 PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Pacific Avenue regarding multiple calls of a gunshot heard and a subject down in the parking lot. Officers and EMS personnel arrived on scene and located a 29-year-old male suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the stomach. The subject was immediately transported to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and is listed in critical condition.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Ricardo Vega at 805-385-8291 or by email at ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org.

Information can be reported online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and click on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous and still provide valuable information by calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

The area of East Seventh Street and Meta Street is now open to all traffic.

On Fri, Apr 28, 2023 at 2:33 AM Baysinger, Kevin <kevin.baysinger@oxnardpd.org> wrote:

Due to an active police investigation, East Seventh Street is currently closed between Meta Street to Commercial Avenue. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes. The closure could last until the late morning hours. We will provide an update once Seventh Street is opened.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 27, 2023

SUBJECT: Shooting Victim

LOCATION: 600 Block Pacific Avenue, Oxnard

VICTIM: 29-Year-Old Male, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Detective Ricardo Vega

(805) 385-8291 | ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 27, 2023

SUBJECT: Shooting Victim

LOCATION: 600 Block Pacific Avenue, Oxnard

VICTIM: 29-Year-Old Male, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Detective Ricardo Vega

(805) 385-8291 | ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org

Due to an active police investigation, East Seventh Street is currently closed between Meta Street to Commercial Avenue. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes. The closure could last until the late morning hours. We will provide an update once Seventh Street is opened.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 24, 2023

SUBJECT: Reckless Driving Enforcement

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

Three drivers arrested for reckless driving

The Oxnard Police Department continues to enforce dangerous driving behavior to increase safety on city roadways. Within the last five days, officers arrested three drivers who were driving recklessly on city streets. On April 20, 2023, the Oxnard Police Department worked in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol, and conducted a Street Racing Enforcement operation. The operation resulted in two drivers arrested for reckless driving, and twenty-seven citations issued.

On April 24, 2023, a motor officer attempted to stop a driver going 95 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. The driver failed to yield and led the motor officer on a pursuit. The motor officer caught the vehicle and arrested the driver for reckless driving and felony evading.

Reckless driving can take the form of street racing, egregious speeding, burnouts, or other behavior dangerous to life. Violators can be subject to arrest and their vehicles impounded for up to 30 days. Additionally, their license may be suspended after the DMV is notified of their driving behavior.

Sadly, Oxnard has already seen traffic fatalities due to reckless behavior. On February 12, 2023, two people were killed when a driver crashed into them while speeding excessively. The Oxnard Police Department is committed to ensuring traffic safety within our communities and will continue the zero-tolerance enforcement efforts to curb these dangerous driving behaviors.

Funding for Street Racing Enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 24, 2023

SUBJECT: Shots fired with multiple victims

LOCATION: 1900 Block Lantana Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Detective Roger Ramirez

(805) 288-3289 | roger.ramirez@oxnardpd.org

On April 24^th at approximately 5:30PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to the area of Gonzales Road and Ventura Road regarding several calls of shots fired. Officers contacted the occupants of a black sedan in the area. One of the occupants, a 32-year-old male, suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and was transported to a local hospital. He was listed in stable condition. Another occupant of the vehicle, a 27-year-old male, suffered a gunshot wound to his ear and was treated at the scene. Both victim’s injuries were non-life threatening.

Officers checked the area and located evidence of a shooting in the alley of the 1900 block of Lantana Street.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Roger Ramirez at 805-385-7686 or by email at roger.ramirez@oxnardpd.org.