Santa Paula Police are searching for two suspects who shot a local man and battered his friend Friday night during a street confrontation that reportedly started with the question “Where are you from?”
According to SPPD Sgt. Cody Madison, a caller reported shots were fired with a subject down at about 10:30 p.m. in the area of 200 West Harvard Boulevard and Craig Driver.
When officers arrived on scene they found a 29-year-old Santa Paula man with two gunshots to his left leg and his friend, a 23-year-old male resident of Los Angeles, who had been battered.
The victims told police they were walking when they were “confronted by two subjects,” who asked where the men were from.
The question is one often affiliated with gang members trying to determine if someone has entered their territory, “The usual gang greeting,” said SPPD Commander Ish Cordero.
Madison said the confrontation “escalated when one of the subjects started to fight with one of the victims.”
During the fight the other suspect pulled a handgun from his waistband and fired it at the other victim, hitting him twice in the left leg; the wounds noted Madison were not life-threatening.
The suspects then fled the scene.
Santa Paula Fire EMTs and ambulance paramedics treated the unidentified victims on scene before they were transported to the hospital; the man that was battered was treated and released.
A police search of the area was conducted for the suspects but the men were not found.
Cordero said whether or not the crime was gang related is still being determined: “I don’t believe the victims are affiliated with gangs but we’re still looking at it … maybe the suspects are but it doesn’t appear that our victims are.”
The suspect that fired the handgun was described as a male Hispanic, approximately 24-25 years old, tall and thin, with tattoos on both arms, short hair, clean-shaven and wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.
The second who fought with the other victim was described as a male Hispanic, also 24-25 years old with tattoos on both arms, short in stature, short hair, clean-shaven, wearing a black shirt and black pants.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Madison at (805) 525-4474 x 220 or email, cmadison@spcity.org.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline, 933-5691 or email tips to tipline@spcity.org
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477); the call is not recorded and the caller may remain anonymous.
Ventura County Crime Stoppers can also be contacted by texting “Busted” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Crime Stopper Tips can also be sent via the website, www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org
