Series of Violent Crimes in Oxnard Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department are investigating a series of violent crimes that occurred on the same night, which they say were committed by gang members and led to a an officer-involved shooting over the weekend.

UPDATE: The officer involved has been identified as Brian Zamore, a 3-year veteran of the Oxnard Police Department. Ofc. Zamore is assigned to the Patrol Services Bureau. He is currently on paid administrative leave.

THE INCIDENT THAT SPARKED IT ALL

At about 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, an Oxnard police officer observed a suspicious vehicle parked in a “No Parking” zone in the 300 block of East Pleasant Valley Road. The car fled the scene at a high rate of speed when the officer attempted to contact the car’s occupants. The officer was able to catch up but the two suspects, including a 14-year-old teen, took off on foot. The officer was able to arrest the teen but the second suspect got away.

The 14-year-old was taken to the Oxnard Police Department and ultimately charged with several weapons violations after police found a shotgun in the teen’s possession.

ASSAULT AT SOUTHWINDS PARK

At 9:45 p.m., Oxnard police officers responded to the 300 block of Canterbury Way after receiving reports of a shooting. When officers contacted the victim, they learned that the incident started at Southwinds Park when two Hispanic males assaulted a woman in the park.

The woman’s father saw the assault taking place and was able to defend his daughter. Both of them returned to their home but ultimately ended up in the hospital where the young woman was able to receive medical attention for her injuries. The injuries were not considered life threatening according to authorities.

When the father returned from the hospital, he was confronted by the two men that had attacked his daughter. One of the suspects was later identified as 19-year-old Julio Isidoro, the same man that would later be identified by police as the outstanding suspect from the chase on East Pleasant Valley Road.

The second suspect in the assault was identified as 19-year-old Jose Olea. Both suspects are Oxnard residents.

Isidoro allegedly brandished a gun at the woman’s father before the father took out his own gun and fired it to scare away the suspects. Police say Isidoro also fired his gun before fleeing the scene. Neither the suspects or the victims were hit in the incident.

CONFRONTATION ON PERKINS ROAD

Oxnard police put out an alert to officers after obtaining a description of the suspects involved in the assault earlier in the night. An officer observed a man matching Isidoro’s description in the 5300 block of Perkins Road. When the officer tried to contact the man, he fled and hid in the front yard of a residence.

According to police, Isidoro was in possession of a handgun and attempted to hide in a dark corner of the front yard.

The following is taken directly from an Oxnard Police Department press release:

The police officer drew his duty weapon as he was in fear for his own safety. The police officer ordered Isidoro many times to show him his hands, but Isidoro refused to comply with the police officers orders. Isidoro made suspicious furtive movements while keeping his hands concealed from the police officer. Still concerned for his safety, the police officer fired one round from his duty weapon at Isidoro. Isidoro immediately complied with the officer’s orders, and he was arrested without incident.

Isidoro was not injured. The loaded, semi-automatic gun that was in possession of the suspect during the incident was recovered from the scene.

AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION

Olea, the second suspect implicated in the assault of a woman, was located and arrested for an outstanding warrant after he was seen in the Southwinds Neighborhood. Both, Olea and Isidoro, were positively identified by the victims and witnesses to the assault at Southwinds Park, according to police.

The Oxnard Police Department says both suspects are considered to be documented Oxnard gang members. “Julio Isidoro was found to be served with the Southside gang injunction. Olea and Isidoro were arrested for two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and the special allegation that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang,” said an Oxnard Police Department’s statement.

The police officer involved in the shooting is a 3-year veteran with the Oxnard Police Department and was not hurt or injured during the confrontation with Isidoro. The police officer was placed on paid administrative leave while authorities continue to investigate the incidents.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Steven Ramirez II at 805-385-7760. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070.