UPDATED NEWS RELEASE
DATE: December 6, 2024
SUBJECT: Shooting Suspects Arrested
LOCATION: 100 block of Fontana Drive, Oxnard
VICTIM: 22 Year-Old Male, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECTS: Victor Lara, 19-Year-Old, Oxnard Resident
Joel Ruiz, 22-Year-Old, Camarillo Resident
CONTACT: Detective Diego Estrada
(805) 385-8291 | diego.estrada@oxnardpd.org
On November 30, 2024, at 7:52 p.m., officers with the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 100 block of Fontana Drive of reports of a gunshot victim. Officers arrived at the scene and located a 22-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. He was transported to a trauma center, where he underwent emergency surgery. He is listed in critical but stable condition.
Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) identified Victor Lara and Joel Ruiz as the suspects in the case. Search warrants and arrest warrants were obtained for both Lara and Ruiz.
On December 4, 2024, VCU, with assistance from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Canine Unit, and Drug Enforcement Unit, located and arrested Lara at his residence in Oxnard. Lara discarded a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest. Lara was charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and several firearms-related charges.
On December 6, 2024, VCU, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Unit, located and arrested Ruiz at his residence in Camarillo. Ruiz was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy.
Additionally, both Lara and Ruiz are documented members of a criminal street gang. Because of this, they were each charged with violation of the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act (gang enhancement).
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Diego Estrada at 805-385-8291 or by email at diego.estrada@oxnardpd.org.
Also, anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7755 or online via the Oxnard Police Department's website:www.oxnardpd.org and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.