While police investigate Lompoc shooting, Goodwill works to make community safer
LOMPOC, Calif. - A fatal incident in Lompoc originally reported as a stabbing is now being investigated as a shooting.
Lompoc police said on Monday that the Saturday afternoon homicide on the 700 block of N. Fourth Street was actually a shooting.
On Saturday around 3:12 p.m., Lompoc Police Department officers responded to a call of a person not breathing or moving.
They were reported to have sustained stab wounds.
Officers located the adult male victim who was found to be deceased.
A further investigation revealed that the victim sustained gunshot wounds.
This is the first homicide of 2020 in Lompoc.
But Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is already working to make the community a safer place.
In just two days the youth center will open its doors with all kinds of resources for young adults ages 14 to 24.
“What we want to do here in Lompoc and Goodwill is build a safe haven for our youth that’s what we really want. We want a space where they can hang out with their peers in a safe setting,” said Ingrid Monzon with Goodwill Industries.
Monzon said many young adults don’t have a strong support system, especially in light of the crimes happening around them like this weekend’s deadly shooting.
“We do see a lot of gang violence. We see a lot of youth violence so we do see a lot of it in our Lompoc community increasing more and more,” Monzon said.
The center will not only provide support, there will be all kinds of educational resources on how to find a job.
“You can come and receive services whether it’s pure work experience resume is on the job training and there’s games they can enjoy computers and enjoy anything that they need help with,” said Osvaldo Sotelo with Goodwill Industries.
Soltelo said gGoodwill will provide professional work clothes for them.
There’s also a recreational area with a tv, a couch and a shelf with snacks.
Ingrid and Monzon hope the new center will also help youths by giving them referrals.
The new Youth Center will open on Wednesday at the Goodwill Workforce Center on 1009 North H Street from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
This incident was originally reported as a stabbing. This story has been updated to include the latest information.
