DA Rules Deputy-Involved Fatal Shooting Of Camarillo Man Legally Justified
Saturday September 09, 2023
(Photo of scene after Manzano taken to hospital courtesy VCDA)
The Ventura County District Attorney's Office has ruled that the fatal shooting of a Camarillo man by a Ventura County Sheriff's deputy almost three years ago was legally justified.
The incident happened shortly after 1 AM on October 4, 2020 near the intersection of Bradford Avenue and West Calle La Sombra.
The sheriff's dispatch center had received a call from 24-year-old Austin Manzano from his home on Ripley Street in Camarillo.
He told the 9-1-1 dispatcher he was armed with a gun and knife and was going to start shooting people.
Manzano also made suicidal statements.
Two deputies were dispatched to the scene and when they arrived Manzano was now in the street pacing back and forth and still armed.
One of the deputies tried to calm him down but Manzano came at the deputy who had ordered him to stop.
When Manzano continued, still pointing the gun at the deputy, the deputy fired twice striking Manzano in the abdomen.
A second deputy also fired but did not hit Manzano.
The deputies were not hurt.
The entire incident was captured on their body worn cameras.
Manzano died two weeks later at the hospital from complications due to his gunshot wounds.
It turned out that while the knife Manzano held was real, the gun was a replica gun.
For a look at the entire DA's investigation and report, plus additional photos go to
