OXNARD, Calif. — Two Oxnard men were hospitalized with gunshot wounds Saturday evening after what investigators say was an exchange of gunfire following an altercation on Edison Drive near McWane Boulevard. The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit has assumed the case and says the victims remain in stable condition.
Timeline and police response
According to the police account, officers first responded to reports of a suspicious person carrying a rifle in the area at about 5:32 p.m. Shortly before 6 p.m., a 30-year-old man was dropped off at a local hospital by a private party with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. At roughly 6:15 p.m., a second victim, a 34-year-old man, arrived at another hospital also with non-life-threatening wounds.
While officers were investigating, they located a vehicle matching the description of one that had transported the injured men. An attempt to stop that vehicle turned into a pursuit that ended near Del Norte Boulevard and Sakioka Drive, where two people were arrested and one firearm was recovered. Police say the arrestees do not appear to have been directly involved in the shooting.
Investigation details and what police are asking of the public
The Violent Crimes Unit is leading the ongoing probe. Based on the evidence gathered so far, detectives believe the two hospitalized men were involved in an on-scene altercation on Edison Drive and exchanged gunfire with one another.
“We are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward,” police said in their advisory.
Investigators have provided several ways to share tips:
- Contact Detective Randall Gonzales at (805) 288-3289 or randall.gonzales@oxnardpd.org
- Report information online at www.oxnardpd.org under “Report Suspicious Activity”
- Call Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or submit a tip at www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org
Local context and public-safety implications
Officers’ initial response to a person reportedly carrying a rifle, followed by the transport of shooting victims by private parties, highlights a pattern local law enforcement often encounters where those involved seek medical care before contacting police. That practice can complicate evidence collection and the reconstruction of events.
For residents in the Edison Drive and McWane Boulevard area, Saturday’s events may raise concerns about public safety and visible weapons. The police pursuit and subsequent arrests underline the department’s effort to quickly locate vehicles connected to potentially violent incidents, even when the people in custody are later determined not to be shooters.
Police have not released the names of victims or the arrested individuals, and no additional charges related to the shooting have been announced. The recovered firearm has been logged into evidence as part of the investigation.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial response time | Approximately 5:32 p.m. |
| Victim arrivals at hospitals | About 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. |
| Suspects arrested | Two; charged with evading, resisting and firearms offenses (per police) |
| Investigating unit | Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit |
How residents can stay informed
Police encourage anyone with video, photos or firsthand knowledge to contact the investigators. Tips can be made anonymously through Ventura Crime Stoppers. The department has not provided a timeline for releasing further details while detectives continue interviews and evidence processing.
This article will be updated as additional verified information becomes available from the Oxnard Police Department.
