News Release
At approximately 6:00 a.m. on March 12, 2023, three Oxnard Police Officers were conducting a DUI investigation in the 100 block of West Fourth Street.
During the investigation, the 60-year old male suspect, who was not involved in the traffic stop, abruptly ran towards the officers while in possession of a five foot long steel bar. The suspect was wielding the bar in a threatening manner with both hands.
The officers gave the male verbal commands to stop and to put the bar down. The male ignored the officer’s commands, and continued to advance on the officers while still wielding the steel bar in a threatening manner.
Two of the police officers drew their department issued tasers, and one police officer drew his service weapon. The suspect advanced to within just a few feet of one of the police officers, prompting the officer involved shooting.
The suspect was struck by gunfire. The officers immediately rendered aid to the suspect until emergency medical personnel arrived. The suspect was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center, and despite the lifesaving efforts of the medical staff, was pronounced deceased at approximately 8:30 a.m.
The officers, as well as the members of the public who were present, were not harmed.
The driver and passengers involved in the DUI investigation provided detailed statements to detectives.
The officers’ body-worn cameras captured the entire incident. The Oxnard Police Department will share this footage in a critical incident briefing video later this week.
Per standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the officers have 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 to contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755 or [email protected].
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As the dead man was the same man who assaulted innocent elderly people in downtown Oxnard, the bigger question is “why was he out and about” to get into MORE serious trouble? Once again California FAILS to do the right and correct thing with the mentally troubled.
Lock. Them. Up.
What substances will be found running through the veins of this out of control, steel bar wielding perp? Normal people do not threaten other people, especially police officers with violence in something that does not involve them. The fault here will lie with those that supplied the perp with those substances.
Seems to me if these officers had the time to use the handgun, they had time to use the taser first.
Our officers have a difficult and stressful job. This must have been a very emotional day for them. I thank them for their service!
3 officers couldn’t handle an old man with a steel bar? Wonder if tasers were used. Make cops look bad. Hope the cops aren’t crooked.