A California man tragically lost his life in an officer-involved shooting after charging at police with a knife. The incident unfolded following a series of frantic 911 calls reporting a man experiencing hallucinations and self-harm.
The incident began around 12:15 AM on April 28th when emergency services received a call about a man behaving erratically. The caller described the individual, later identified as 24-year-old Michael Owens, as being in distress and in need of medical attention.
Owens himself contacted 911, pleading for help and indicating he was not well. He identified himself and his location at the Ventura County Rescue Mission.
Ventura County Rescue Mission
First responders, alerted to the situation, arrived at the scene. They were met with reports that Owens had been consuming alcohol, hallucinating, and engaging in self-harm. Police were immediately dispatched to the location, escalating the situation to a potential crisis.
Upon arrival, Oxnard police officers discovered that Owens had barricaded himself inside a bathroom. Bodycam footage from the scene reveals first responders briefing paramedics on the unfolding situation, highlighting the volatile nature of the encounter.
Oxnard Police Department Patch
First responders informed the officers that Owens had been observed cutting himself with a knife on his left wrist, further amplifying the danger of the situation. During this exchange, Owens briefly exited the bathroom and interacted with an officer before retreating back inside.
The situation escalated as an officer attempted to engage Owens, requesting him to step out of the bathroom. Bodycam footage captures the officer urging Owens to sit down so they could assist him.
Police Bodycam Footage
However, the encounter took a turn for the worse when Owens emerged from the bathroom brandishing a knife. The officer repeatedly ordered Owens to halt his advance and drop the weapon, but these commands were ignored. As Owens continued to approach, the officer discharged their firearm, striking him.
Despite being wounded, Owens fell to the ground and continued to verbally engage with the officer. He then lunged towards the officer, prompting a second round of gunfire. Paramedics on standby immediately administered first aid to Owens, who was then transported to a medical facility. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Investigators recovered the knife Owens was wielding at the time of the shooting. The officer involved in the incident has been placed on administrative leave pending a thorough investigation. The shooting is being reviewed by multiple agencies and will ultimately be presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for a final determination.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and dangers faced by both law enforcement officers and individuals experiencing mental health crises. The investigation into the shooting will seek to provide a complete and transparent account of the events that led to this unfortunate loss of life.
