Full Notification

A confrontation between rival gangs occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 3:20 PM on the campus of the Rio Plaza Elementary School. The investigation revealed that a gang from Oxnard opened fire on an El Rio Gang while approximately 50 students were attending summer school.

The shooting took place on the grass athletic field. Immediately after word, all of the participants fled the scene and it did not appear that any of the gang members were struck by gunfire. Some El Rio gang members, who had been shot at, were detained while they were leaving the area but were uncooperative. The incident is currently under investigation.

At the time of the shooting, some of the Rio Plaza students were outside on the playground adjacent to the athletic field where the shooting occurred. Fortunately, none of the children were injured and were all taken to designated safe locations within the school and later released to responsible adults. A stray round struck the window of a camper parked in the driveway in the 400 block of Helsam Avenue. (See photograph.)

The Sheriff's Gang Unit continues to aggressively suppress gang-related crime though a variety of means. However, the public's help in attacking this problem is also strongly needed. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Gang Unit at (805) 654-2856. Additionally, Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).