OXNARD : Youth Shot in Hand in Street Encounter

An Oxnard teen-ager was recovering Monday from minor injuries to his hand after being shot by an unknown assailant in west Ventura, Ventura Police reported.

A male who started an altercation with the 16-year-old and two other teen-agers late Sunday shot him once, just grazing an inside portion of his left hand, said Ventura Police Sgt. Larry Lotton.

Police learned of the incident Monday afternoon, after medical officials in Oxnard reported that the boy had sought treatment for his wounds, Lotton said. State law requires medical personnel to report any gunshot-related wounds.

The youth and his friends were stopped in the 600 block of North Ventura Avenue about 10:30 p.m. talking to passengers in another car when they were approached by several males, Lotton said.

After asking where the boy lived, one of the males pulled a small-caliber pistol out and fired a shot at him, Lotton said. The bullet missed, but a second shot fired as he was fleeing to his car struck his hand, Lotton said. No arrests had been made by late Monday.

Lotton said authorities are hesitant to call the incident gang-related until they have completed their investigation.

That assault was the latest in a spate of violence that has erupted in Ventura’s west end in recent weeks.

Anthony Ortega, 18, was stabbed three times in the back shortly after 2 a.m. Jan. 29. Three hours later, police found Jose Olvera, 30, nearby, also suffering from stab wounds.

The attacks have prompted police to step up patrols in the area.