NEWS RELEASE
DATE: January 14, 2025
SUBJECT: Oxnard Police release Critical Incident Community Briefing video
LOCATION: 3700 block of Leeward Way, Oxnard
CONTACT: Rocky Marquez, Commander
(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 7am – 5pm)
rocky.marquez@oxnardpd.org (after hours)
The Oxnard Police Department is releasing a Critical Incident Community Briefing video of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred at approximately 8:15 P.M. on Monday, October 21, 2024.
The public can view the Critical Incident Community Briefing video on the Oxnard Police Department’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/rzDvYk2cSHw The Critical Incident Community Briefing video link will also be available on the Oxnard Police Department’s Facebook, X, and Instagram accounts. Viewer discretion is advised.
At approximately 8:15 PM on October 21, 2024, Oxnard police officers responded to a call for service of shots fired from a vehicle in the 3700 block of Leeward Way. Once on scene, officers saw a male suspect, later identified as Cesar Ayala-Arteaga, who matched the description provided by the caller.
Officers contacted Mr. Arteaga, who armed himself with a firearm. The officers gave him commands and attempted to gain his compliance. Mr. Arteaga was uncooperative and refused to put down the firearm. Officers made several attempts to de-escalate the situation. Mr. Arteaga continued to be uncooperative and eventually pointed the firearm at the officers. As this occurred, two officers fired their department-issued weapons at Mr. Arteaga, striking him once. Officers and emergency medical services personnel rendered medical aid. Mr. Arteaga was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for further medical treatment.
On October 29, 2024, Mr. Arteaga was discharged from the hospital and booked into the Ventura County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon, exhibiting a deadly weapon at a police officer, negligently discharging a firearm, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. His bail was set at $1,000,000.00. His next court date for this case is February 20, 2025, at the Ventura County Superior Court.
At the time of this news release, all officers have been cleared to return to service in their respective assignments.
Chief Jason Benites stated: “As part of our commitment to transparency with our community, we believe it is important to share this video with the community we serve. This Critical Incident Community Briefing video provides a summary account of what occurred during the evening of October 21st, including the sequence of events leading to the officer-involved shooting. It is important to point out that the intent of this video is not to offer an opinion or analysis of what occurred. Please keep in mind that this is currently an active criminal investigation, so the information we can release is limited. More information, including the body-worn camera video and the investigative reports, will be available to the public upon the completion of the investigation.”
The investigation is still ongoing. Detectives request 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