Family members and friends left photos and messages at a memorial Monday in honor of a jogger who was shot and killed during an officer-involved shooting Saturday after a brief pursuit in Oxnard.
Police conducted a news conference Tuesday regarding the shooting death of Alfonso Limon. Authorities confirmed that 21-year-old Limon was one of two men shot and killed Saturday after officers exchanged gunfire with two subjects involved in a pursuit that followed a traffic stop.
"The violent behavior of these suspects in this incident created and resulted in a tragedy and tragic death of Mr. Limon," said Chief Jeri Williams.
Officers attempted to stop three subjects in a vehicle at about 10 p.m. Saturday near Second Street and Grant Avenue in Oxnard. During the traffic stop, responding officers received a report that the men might have displayed a handgun, according to police.
The men inside the vehicle refused to comply with the officers' instructions and drove away from the intersection, according to police. The driver stopped the vehicle in the 100 block of North Garfield Avenue.
"As soon as the driver stopped, two subjects exited the vehicle and ran from the officers," police said in a news release. "The officers chased the subjects and were fired upon. Multiple officers returned fire."
A bystander later identified as Limon was caught in the crossfire. Limon was jogging at the time of the shooting, family members said.
"He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he just got caught in the mix," said Christian Lopez, a friend of Limon.
A message at the Limon memorial near the site of the shootout read: "Alfonso, you will always be my big brother. I will think of you every day. I will miss you."
It was not immediately clear whether Limon was struck by gunfire from the officers or pursuit subjects.
"It's a very complicated investigation," said Gary Pentis, of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. "We have a team of scientists, trajectory experts, weapons experts, bloods experts -- a lot of forensic evidence to go through."
One of the men involved in the pursuit surrendered at the North Garfield Avenue location. The second deceased victim was identified as 24-year-old Jose Zepeda, of Oxnard. A third individual -- identified as 24-year-old Justin Villa -- involved in the pursuit was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
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Villa and Rafael Hernandez, 22, were arrested in connection with the case, police said.
No officers were injured. The officers invovled in the shooting -- authorities said "multiple" officers responded to the location -- were placed on administrative leave.
Bullet holes were left in building walls and nearby vehicles. Weapons were recovered at the scene of the shooting, police said.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County DA and Oxnard Police Department are investigating the case. The police department also will conduct an administration investigation.
