By El Latino Newsroom
A 17-year-old has been charged with three felony counts in connection with a shooting at a Five Guys restaurant in Oxnard that left an innocent bystander seriously injured, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced.
The teenager, who was 16 at the time of the alleged shooting, appeared in juvenile court Tuesday and denied all charges.
The charges include shooting at an occupied building, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and buying or receiving a firearm in violation of a court order. Prosecutors have also filed two special allegations: intentionally discharging a firearm and causing great bodily injury, and personally using a firearm during the alleged crime.
The prosecution has filed a motion seeking to transfer the case from juvenile court to adult court.
Supervising Senior Deputy District Attorney Blake Heller and Deputy District Attorney Lillian Tsao are handling the case.
Prosecutors Seek to Move Case to Adult Court
Prosecutors argue that the severity of the alleged shooting warrants trying the teenager in adult court.
“Adult court is the appropriate venue for this case,” Heller said. “The alleged actions of this young man have forever changed the life of an innocent victim who was simply at work when he was shot. He is fortunate to have survived this violent attack.”
The case stems from a shooting on Aug. 28, 2026, at The Collection shopping center in Oxnard.
According to investigators, surveillance footage from the shopping center shows the teenager being chased by two males. The teen is accused of pulling out a firearm and firing at least one shot in their direction.
The bullet missed the two individuals who were allegedly pursuing him and struck an employee inside the Five Guys restaurant.
The employee was shot in the neck and transported to Ventura County Medical Center with significant injuries.
Police Investigation Led to Teen’s Arrest
The Oxnard Police Department investigated the shooting and arrested the teenager the following morning.
Authorities have not provided additional details about the circumstances surrounding the alleged confrontation or the identities of the two individuals seen chasing the teen in the surveillance footage.
The next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2026, at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard.
The teenager remains in custody at a juvenile detention facility while the case proceeds through the court system.
The charges and allegations have not been proven in court. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
