VENTURA : Clues Sought in Shooting of Youth

A 17-year-old Ventura youth who was shot in the face remained in critical condition Friday as police searched for clues and a motive in the west Ventura neighborhood where the shooting occurred.

Police said Christopher Charles Walls was shot with a small-caliber handgun about 7:50 p.m. Thursday in the garage of a Riverside Street triplex across the street from Sheridan Way School.

Christopher remained in the intensive-care unit at Ventura County Medical Center late Friday, although police said his condition had improved slightly. His mother, Barbara Furgiuele, 36, was resting in another room at the hospital after giving birth to a baby boy.

Referring to her older son, she said: “He’s in God’s hands, that’s where he is. There’s not too much I can do.”

Sgt. Gary McCaskill said the bullet passed through Christopher’s cheek and lodged behind his ear.

The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear. Police were looking at the possibility that the shooting might have been accidental or that Christopher may have been mistaken for someone else.

McCaskill said police have questioned several witnesses and are looking for others.

Since September, Christopher has been enrolled in a high school equivalency course at Westview Community Center in Ventura.

“He’s one that is strong inside,” said teacher Rosemary DeFever. “He’s the first one here every day.”

DeFever described Christopher as a bright student and a talented artist who recently sent her a Christmas card he had drawn.