VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF
NEWS STORY
GEOFF DEAN, SHERIFF
www.VCSD.org
Nature of Incident: Arrest of Felon in Self-Inflicted Gunshot Investigation
Report Number: 17-60835
Location: 300 block W. Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard
Date & Time: 07-13-17 / 1900 hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Major Crimes Bureau; Ojai Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
S- Tyler Acosta Ojai 25
Narrative:
On 04-28-17, at about 1:19 a.m., deputies from the Sheriff’s Ojai patrol station responded to a call of a gunshot victim at the Ojai Valley Hospital emergency room. When they arrived, they located Tyler Acosta suffering from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Acosta told deputies that he had been walking in a field in the area of North Ventura Avenue and Crooked Palm Road near the Valley Vista housing tract. Acosta told deputies that he was confronted by an unidentified male transient who accused Acosta of theft. Acosta stated he became involved in a physical fight with the transient during which the transient produced a handgun and fired it once, striking Acosta.
Sheriff’s Major Crimes detectives responded and began an investigation into the shooting. Detectives found that initial evidence collected in this case did not corroborate Acosta’s statement. Follow-up investigation produced additional evidence to show that Acosta had been in unlawful possession of a handgun and had shot himself.
Detectives also discovered that Acosta had a 2013 conviction for a felony violation of P.C. 29800(a)(1)-Unlawful possession of a firearm. As a result of this conviction, Acosta was prohibited by the court from possessing firearms and ammunition.
On 07-13-17, Acosta was contacted by Sheriff’s detectives in an apartment complex in the 300 block of W. Vineyard Avenue. Acosta was arrested on felony charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and negligent discharge of a firearm resulting in injury and a misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession of ammunition. At the time of his arrest, Acosta was discovered to have a fixed blade dagger concealed on his person. He was also found to be in possession of a usable quantity of methamphetamine and prescription medication. Acosta was booked into the Ventura County Jail on these additional charges. His bail was set at $105,000. Acosta is scheduled to appear for arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court on 07-17-17, at 1:30 p.m.
Prepared by: Sgt. Ron Chips
News Release Date: 07-17-17
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Ron Chips (805) 765-0617
[email protected]
Approved by: Captain Melissa Smith
