Teen Charged For Near-Fatal August Shooting at The Collection Shopping Center

OXNARD, Calif. (KEYT) – A 17-year-old has been charged in connection with an August shooting at a Five Guys that hospitalized an uninvolved bystander.

The teen was 16 at the time of the shooting at The Collection shopping center and now faces charges of shooting at an occupied building, buying or receiving a firearm against a court order and assault with a semi-automatic firearm detailed the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

He was arraigned Monday morning in juvenile court and entered a plea of not guilty to all charges noted the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

According to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, prosecutors have filed a motion for the case to be transferred to adult court.

"Adult court is the appropriate venue for this case," stated Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Blake Heller who is prosecuting the case alongside Deputy District Attorney Lillian Tsao. "The alleged actions of this young man have forever changed the life of an innocent victim who was simply at work when he was shot. He is fortunate to have survived this violent attack."

On Aug. 28, 2026, the juvenile defendant was captured by surveillance cameras at The Collection shopping center being chased by two men when he allegedly puled out a gun and fired one shot in the direction of the two men detailed the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

The bullet missed the two men chasing the minor and instead hit an employee working inside of the nearby Five Guys in the neck shared prosecutors.

The bystander was transported to a local hospital from the scene with significant injuries added the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

The shooter was arrested the next morning following an investigation by the Oxnard Police Department noted the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

The 17-year-old is next due in juvenile court on Dec. 15, 2026, and remains in custody until then at the juvenile detention facility.