Oxnard Police Department – Incident Press Release
On June 20, 2019, at approx. 9:24 A.M., patrol officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 1400 block of South Victoria Avenue after numerous calls were received about shots being fired in the residential neighborhood. As officers were knocking on the front door of an apartment in an attempt to investigate where the shots were coming from, a 21-year-old resident, later identified as Samuel Sapiens, began firing out his apartment window. The gunfire struck and shattered the front window of an Oxnard Police unit parked at the scene. While officers were setting up the perimeter, they were told that the suspect had access to an assault rifle.
Further investigation determined that Sapiens had fired several rounds prior to officers arriving which struck an apartment complex across the street on Leeward Avenue, penetrating the exterior and interior walls. An 18-year-old female was home at the time and was unharmed.
The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team responded along with the Crisis Negotiations Unit (CNT). During the standoff, CNT contacted Sapiens by telephone. The negotiators spoke with Sapiens for approximately forty-five (45) minutes and were able to convince the suspect to surrender peacefully. There were no injuries during this incident.
Officers recovered numerous firearms from the residence. The firearms were registered to the brother of Samuel Sapiens.
Samuel Sapiens was booked for 245(d)(1) P.C. Assaults on a Police Officer with a Firearm and 246 P.C. Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling.
During the incident, residents in the area who were registered with the VC Alert Emergency Notification System received a notification to shelter in place. They were advised to stay inside and close all doors and windows until the situation was resolved. The VC Alert system delivers time-sensitive emergency alerts to residents when there is a threat to health and safety. To find out more information regarding the VC Alert system or to register for time-sensitive emergency alerts visit: https://www.readyventuracounty.org/vc-alert/
Investigators are encouraging anyone who may have video recorded or photographed all or part of the incident, to upload your media directly to the investigators via the following link: https://oxnardpd.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/victoriaave. All submissions are immediately logged into the Oxnard Police Department’s digital evidence system. Contact information is not stored by Axon and community members can remain anonymous, choosing to upload their files without providing contact information.
Investigators are asking the public to come forward if anyone has witnessed this incident. The public is asked to contact Detective Michael Velasquez (805) 385-8287.
Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, 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 (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.
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