By Redacción
Redaccion@latinocc.com
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced charges against five juveniles involved in a series of assaults at a Simi Valley movie theater parking lot on August 1, 2025. The incident, which allegedly involved three separate victims, has led to felony assault and hate crime charges against several of the minors involved.
Two of the teens are also facing charges for a previous altercation that occurred in the same parking lot on May 30, 2025.
Three of the juveniles are charged with felony assault, with force likely to produce great bodily injury, along with a special allegation of committing a hate crime. A fourth minor faces similar felony assault charges, but also has additional misdemeanor charges, including criminal threats and battery. The fifth juvenile is charged with misdemeanor criminal threats and battery.
The minors involved are all teenagers, with two aged 16 and three aged 17. Due to their ages, the minors’ identities are not being disclosed.
“Hate crimes spread fear, division, and violence throughout an entire community,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko.
“Our office is committed to holding these youth accountable and ensuring that justice is delivered for the victims and the broader community.”
Senior Deputy District Attorney Maureen Byrne, the supervising prosecutor of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Juvenile Unit, is handling the case. The arraignment for all five minors is scheduled for October 10, 2025, at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard.
The charges and hate crime allegations have prompted a wider conversation on the issue of youth violence and the consequences of such actions. District Attorney Nasarenko emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying motivations behind these incidents and ensuring that the community remains safe from further incidents of hate-driven violence.
The May 30, 2025, altercation, which involved the same juveniles, served as a precursor to the more serious incident that occurred two months later. Authorities are examining any potential links between the two events, which could influence how the case proceeds.
The charges against the five minors are among the latest examples of the growing concern over hate crimes in Ventura County. The District Attorney’s Office has vowed to continue its efforts to combat these types of offenses and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The community in Simi Valley has been shaken by the recent events, with many local residents voicing concerns over safety and the potential for further violence. Local advocacy groups have rallied to support the victims, while also calling for stronger measures to address hate crimes and juvenile violence in the area.
Legal experts point out that these cases often serve as a reminder of the serious long-term effects that juvenile violence can have on both the perpetrators and their victims. The involvement of hate crime allegations has further intensified the conversation on how to address discrimination and prejudice in young people.
As the case moves forward, it will likely serve as a significant marker in discussions about juvenile justice reform, as well as efforts to combat hate-driven violence in local communities.
The five juveniles are scheduled for arraignment on October 10, 2025. The public will be watching closely to see how the courts handle these charges and whether additional actions will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
