A 15-year-old boy died Tuesday after a car driven by a man who had earlier stabbed two people at a Simi Valley Walmart rolled over and struck several high schoolers in Thousand Oaks, police said.
In addition to the dead 15-year-old, a 14-year-old girl was critically injured, while a 16-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy were also injured, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ashely Barrios said. The condition of the driver was not immediately known.
The driver was identified as 24-year-old Austin Eis. Police believe he intentionally ran down the teens. He is being held at the Ventura County Jail where his bail has been set at $5,000,000.
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According to booking records, Eis is being charged with attempted robbery, resisting executive officers, attempted murder, murder, drawing and exhibiting firearms in a threatening manner and burglary. Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday in Ventura County Superior Court.
NBC4's NewsChopper4 helicopter showed the car on its roof next to a bus stop following the crash.
The crash happened near Lake View Canyon Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, close to Westlake High School.
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In a written statement, Conejo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Mark McLaughlin said the crash happened around 3:15 p.m. He added that students were hit as they were walking on the sidewalk.
"During this time of unimaginable loss, our thoughts and prayers remain with these students, their families, friends, and the entire Warrior community," McLaughlin said. He added that mental health counselors would be available for students and staff at the school and at other campuses across the district Wednesday.
The driver of the car was wanted for allegedly stabbing an employee at a Walmart on the 200 block of Cochran Street in Simi Valley, the Simi Valley Police Department said. The stabbing happened around 2:42 p.m. and the attacker fled before police arrived.
Barrios said the man stabbed another person at the Walmart, as well. Both victims were taken to a hospital.
"The motive for the attack in Simi Valley is yet to be determined, and the investigation remains ongoing," the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "Some details regarding the investigation cannot be released due to investigative integrity at this time and the multi-jurisdictional nature of this crime."
Following the stabbing, the man went to Camarillo and was involved in a “domestic dispute” with family members, which resulted in no injuries, Barrios said. After that is when the crash happened.
