Suspect Killed In Officer Involved Shooting In Oxnard

Sunday March 12, 2023

     Updated--Oxnard police say one of their officers fatally shot a man early Sunday morning after the man came at him and two other officers while wielding a steel bar.

    It happened around 6 AM in the 100 block of West Fourth Street in downtown Oxnard.

     Three officers were conducting a DUI investigation when a 60-year-old man who was not involved in the DUI traffic stop "abruptly ran towards the officers while in possession of a five foot long steel bar."

     Police say the man was wielding the bar in a threatening manner with both hands.

     The officers gave verbal commands to stop and put the bar down but the man ignored those commands and "continued to advance on the officers while still wielding the steel bar in a threatening manner."

     Police say that two of the officers drew their department issued tasers, and the third officer drew his service weapon.

     The say "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 the gunfire and the officers immediately rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived and he was taken to VCMC.

     Police say that despite the lifesaving efforts of the medical staff, the man was pronounced dead at 8:30 AM Sunday.

     The officers and members of the public who were present were not harmed.

     The people involved in the DUI investigation provided detailed statements to detectives.

     Police plan to release the entire body worn camera video of the officers later this week.

     As is standard procedure, the officers are placed on administrative leave during the investigation that will involved one investigation into whether the use of force was within department policy and another as to whether the officer's actions were legally justified.

     The District Attorney's Office is involved in the investigation into legal justification.

     Fourth and "A" Streets were shut down for about a block in all directions after the incident and during the investigation.