UPDATE: Family Searches for Answers in Death of Oxnard Teen

[UPDATE 8/15/15]

The family of an Oxnard teen who was shot dead in Lemonwood Park on July 15 released another plea for help.

August 15 marked the one-month anniversary since his death and the Oxnard Police Department urges the public to provide any information regarding the death of 19-year-old Robert Sarles Jr.

Investigators have yet to determine a motive for the attack, but they believe there are community members with information that can assist identifying the suspect(s).

Any information provided will remain confidential. They are offering a $10,000 dollar reward to anyone with information about the suspects or details of the murder, that may lead to an arrest.

Below is a list of numerous ways to provide information:

Oxnard Police Department Website; http://www.oxnardpd.org/contact.asp Oxnard Police Department Facebook Page; http://www.facebook.com/oxnardpd Ventura County Crime Stoppers; www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx, 800-222-8477 Detective Robert Eckman; bob.eckman@oxnardpd.org, 805-385-7760

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Original Story:

Questions still surround the death of an Oxnard teen who was gunned down in Lemonwood Park on July 15.

On Friday, his family said their final goodbyes as they laid his body to rest.

At the funeral, the family wanted to spread a message about love and the importance of community. They believe crimes like this are senseless and need to stop.

Robert Sarles Jr. was 19 when he was shot and killed in Lemonwood Park. The Oxnard Police Department says it is pursuing leads but at this point does not have a suspect in custody. Sarles’ family is shocked that their loved one was killed in the neighborhood park.

“The pain that it causes will never go away,” said Sarles’ dad, Robert Sarles.

“It is hard. You don’t even want to see something like this for a grandparent, but knowing he was so young. He was only 19,” said Kelsey Alvarez, Sarles cousin.

Robert Sarles Jr. was known by his family as “Bobby” or “Boo.”

“He was taken way too soon. He didn’t deserve it. He was a beautiful person, very intelligent. He never did nothing to anybody. He was just a beautiful person,” said Sarles’ cousin Rachelle at his funeral.

Sarles’ story has the community asking why deaths like this have become so common.

“We have to know who did this. A kid should be able to go to his own park that he was raised in since diapers. He should be able to go there and be safe,” said an aunt, Alice Sarles.

The Oxnard Police Department reports that violent crimes are up by 10 percent from January to June of this year compared to January to June of last year.

While violent crimes are up overall, the number of rapes and robberies reported this year are down.

The biggest increase in violent crimes are in aggravated assaults, which is anything from battery to someone being attacked with a knife or shot at. These types of crimes are up by 30 percent. In the majority of these crimes, the victim survived, but there have already been several homicides this year as well.

“So far this year we have had seven homicides comparatively speaking. Last year we had five homicides, so we are right about where we normally are for homicides for a city are size which is anywhere from eight to 15 homicides a year,” said Incident Commander Andrew Salinas with the Oxnard Police Department.

Sarles’ family says he wasn’t a gang member and that Bobby didn’t seem to have any problems with anyone. While they try to cope with the grief of losing someone so young, they are also searching for answers, and asking the community to do what they can to end crime in Oxnard.

“You really have to, every single day, act like it was your last. Love your children, hug your kids, love them, and know that they are loved, because life is short,” said Robert Sarles.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page for donations and funeral costs.
Anyone with information surrounding his death is urged to contact the Oxnard Police Department or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 800-222- 8477.