Press release - Child Endangerment - Possession of a stolen firearm - Possession of a loaded firearm

Published 3/18/2010 (all press releases for this day)

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

On 3/18/2010 at about 0156 hrs, officers responded to a call of a shooting victim at St. John’s Hospital. Jorge Ortiz initially stated that he was shot by an unknown suspect as he was getting into his vehicle in the alley in the 5300 block of South J Street. It became apparent from his gunshot wound to his left leg that the injury was self-inflicted.

Ortiz admitted to officers that he was going to his residence in the 5300 block of South J Street. He was armed with a handgun in his pocket and carrying his 3-year old child. He placed his child into the front seat of his vehicle and as he was sitting down in the vehicle, the gun discharged and the bullet struck Ortiz in the left leg.

Prior to going to the hospital, Ortiz discarded the weapon in a nearby trashcan. The weapon was later recovered by officers and found to have been reported stolen.

Ortiz was treated and released at St. John’s Regional Medical Center and subsequently arrested for 3 felony charges of child endangerment, possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm. He was booked into Ventura County Jail with bail set at $500,000.