Media Release - Melee in Oaks Mall leads to large police response
| Nature of Incident: |
Melee in Oaks Mall leads to large police response |
| Report Number: |
20-168323 |
| Location: |
The Oaks Mall 222 W. Hillcrest Drive |
| Date & Time: |
December 5, 2020 @ 6:39 pm |
| Narrative: |
A fight inside the Oaks Mall Saturday evening resulted in 16 patrol units responding to the location in response to 911 calls of shots being fired inside the shopping center, which turned out to be false. Deputies were initially sent to a call of a brandishing after a caller reported seeing a man pointing a gun inside the mall. Other callers informed dispatchers that an off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy pulled his concealed handgun to stop a physical fight between several patrons. Other callers reported four to five people engaging in a fight. The situation caused confusion and panic among some shoppers.
Once deputies arrived, they learned that three men began fighting with each other after two of them confronted the third man because he was not wearing a face mask inside the mall. As the melee became increasingly violent, the off-duty law enforcement officer identified himself and confronted the men with his handgun to stop the fight. The fight quickly ended, and the men were interviewed by responding deputies.
The incident ended with none of the combatants wishing to pursue criminal charges. They suffered only minor injuries, and no shots were fired.
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| Prepared by: |
Captain Eric Buschow |
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| News Release Date: |
December 6, 2020 |
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| Media Follow-Up Contact: |
Captain Eric Buschow (805)947-8129
[email protected] |
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Approved by:
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Commander James Fryhoff |
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511
