Search For Shooting Suspect In Santa Paula Puts School On Lockdown

Saturday September 21, 2024

     Updated--The search for the suspect in a shooting near Santa Paula prompted a school to go on lockdown for several hours Friday morning.

     The authorities had been involved in an extensive ground and air search for 34-year-old Maximo Hernandez of Santa Paula since the shooting Wednesday in the Santa Clara River bottom near the 12th Street Bridge left another man with a non-life threatening wound.

     Detectives had developed information that Hernandez was staying at the motel in the 400 block of Harvard Boulevard and was likely still armed with a gun.

     That brought Ventura County Sheriff's deputies, Santa Paula police officers, two SWAT Teams, K-9 Units, a drone, and a sheriff's helicopter to the scene.

     It also prompted the lockdown of Isbell Middle School which is located across the street from the motel.

     Deputies and officers ultimately searched the motel but did not find Hernandez.

     As of Saturday night he was still at large.

     The authorities are seeking public help in locating him.

      Hernandez has an extensive criminal record and is considered armed and dangerous.

     Hernandez is a Hispanic male, about 5’-4” inches tall, about 150 pounds, and has a tattoo on his neck that says “BC”.  He also has a tattoo on the right side of his head that says, “Jonathan”, and a tattoo on his left forearm that says, “Hecho en Mexico” with an eagle.

     Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Hernandez is asked to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511, 911, or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), callers can remain anonymous.  Tips can also be sent by email to Detective Dustin Heersche at dustin.heersche@ventura.org or Detective John Grunhold at john.grunhold@ventura.org