Woman Killed in Oxnard Officer-Involved Shooting Identified

A woman killed by an Oxnard police officer has been identified as 26-year-old Meagan Hockaday of Oxnard.

The incident happened at 1 a.m. Saturday on the 500 block of West Vineyard Avenue.

Police Chief Jeri Williams said a man called 911 requesting police officers to respond to a domestic dispute he was having with Hockaday.

“Domestic violence is one of the most challenging calls we go on. Quite frankly, in the city of Oxnard, we average 2,500 domestic violence calls a year,” Williams said.

The first officer on scene, Officer Roger Garcia, heard screams coming from the apartment.

Williams said the officer made contact with the man near the front door and within seconds Hockaday came at them with a knife.

“The shooting took place in less 20 seconds from the time of the initial incident when the first officer initially made contact,” Williams said.

“In the course of 20 seconds– I don’t know the details of what was going on in the officer’s mind. I do know this, that our officer was definitely looking out to protect himself and other parties involved in this scenario,” Williams said.

Hockaday was dead at the scene. A knife was recovered near her body.

Neighbors said that the family had recently moved into the apartment complex and never heard the couple fight.

Three young children were inside the apartment at the time of the incident. They were evaluated by Child Protective Services and released to family.

The officer involved in the shooting, an eight-year veteran on the force, has been placed on paid administrative leave. This is the second officer-involved shooting that Officer Garcia has been involved in.

A full investigation will be conducted with the assistance of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Audio: March 28, 2015 Oxnard Officer-Involved Shooting 911 Call