Posted by george1234 on May 1, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Too bad he's not critical!

Posted by omie on May 1, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hear head shots are the best. Kid will spend some time in juvie and out by 18 with a sealed record ready to cause more grief for others. To bad the officer missed, now he has a lot of paperwork and will get crap from everyone for doing his job.

Posted by busymommy on May 1, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't Hill across the street from the jail? What an idiot.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 1, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Juevenile records are not just automatically sealed. First off you have to pay a few hundred dollars to have them sealed in which then only a Judge can unseal them. Also if the kid is still on any type of probation they CAN NOT be sealed. Its not as if they turn 18 and they are automatically sealed for each and every juevenile.
This kid was pretty stupid doing what he did. I can not blame the officer for using deadly force.
I am glad he wasn't killed as some heartless people here do. Hopefully this is a wake up call and he will change his life around. And the Officer doesn't have to live with the fact he killed a kid.

Posted by richardg on May 1, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Grand Theft Auto IV!!!
All ready gettin it crackin!

Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on May 1, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

RICHARDG-
LOL- that was a good one.

Posted by FedUp on May 1, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am just happy to hear that the officer is not injured. I hope someone leaks this kids name. the public deserves to know who it is.

Posted by rebel123 on May 1, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What the H*ll is wrong with some of you people? This kid is 16 years old. He's somebody's child. Yet you are pretty much wishing he was critically injured or shot in the head?? He did a really stupid thing. The vengeance that is expressed in these posts is frightening. I'm not calling for his release or even judicial leniency. I am however appalled at the extreme attitudes of some people toward a kid who did a really dumb thing. And.....there's no name here so the innuendos regarding tias and tios just makes you sound like a complete bigot.

Posted by Mr_E_Man on May 1, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He's a 16 year old kid who just happened to try to kill a cop with a stolen car.

That's not just a stupid thing to do, that's attempted murder. He should be thanking the cop for only shooting him once.

Posted by FedUp on May 1, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sorry, but 16 years old is old enough to know better than to: 1. Steal a car. 2. try and run over a cop with the stolen car.

I am just glad the officer is ok. whatever happened to the kid during all of this, would have been fine with me.

Posted by prd2beamrkn on May 1, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

slkrchk

Sorry, I do not agree with you. Maybe he is some rich kid who is spoiled, how do you know he is underprivilged. I would say he just a trouble maker and now we get to fork out money for another punk in jail. Why don't you look for a way to better your life, rather than play the poor pitiful me card?

Posted by busymommy on May 1, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I do not care that he is only 16. He knows right from wrong. Not only was he driving a stolen car but he also tried to run over a cop and he rammed the car. He is a loser no matter what his race is. Is he someones child. Yes. But he still committed attepmted murder. There are no excuses.

Posted by FedUp on May 1, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am pretty sure slkrchck was being sarcastic.
but it is only a matter of time till someone comes on here, and actually believes what slkrchck was saying.

Posted by smithjc on May 1, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

before y'all start playing your violins for this punk, maybe you should consider that this might not be (probably isn't) his first "mistake". i'm not saying that i know about him, but you generally don't start out stealing cars and trying to run down cops. i'm glad for the officer's well-being, but not the punk's.

and btw, mmmshoot, ATTEMPTED murder doesn't carry a death sentence in kalifornia. for an ADULT (which he should be charged as), it carries a maximum penalty of life WITH the possibility of parole.

Posted by smithjc on May 1, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

before y'all start playing your violins for this punk, maybe you should consider that this might not be (probably isn't) his first "mistake". i'm not saying that i know about him, but you generally don't start out stealing cars and trying to run down cops. i'm glad for the officer's well-being, but not the punk's.

and btw, mmmshoot, ATTEMPTED murder doesn't carry a death sentence in kalifornia. for an ADULT (which he should be charged as), it carries a maximum penalty of life WITH the possibility of parole.

Posted by omie on May 1, 2008 at 10:50 a.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by simplegal1963 on May 1, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who knows why a 16 year old WITHOUT problems does what they do, let alone, one WITH problems as this young kid obviously has. I do agree with the officers use of force as his own life was in danger and I also am thankful that the officer shot to wound and not kill. This young man obviously needs some serious help. One cannot assume that this boy is a product of underpriviledge any more than they could say he is a product of abuse, neglect, overly spoiling parents or any other lifestyle issue. Stealing the vehicle could have been done because of something as rediculous as a dare from a buddy. But, it is clear he is a troubled young man who unfortunately now needs to account for his serious errors in judgement. The officer could have been killed as well as the boy. Perhaps in the long run, this boy could grow up to help other troubled teens. That is the best case scenario. I read a comment above regarding Grand Theft Auto IV and in all seriousness, I know the writer was half joking, but, these violent games and movies are not helping make these kinds of things stop happening. They are merely encouraging the behavior. I hope this boy gets the help he needs.

Posted by FedUp on May 1, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"I think ATTEMPTED murder is called a manslaughter charge and could be punished as such."

Attempted murder is called just that. Attempted murder.
manslaughter has multiple definitions, but a death actually has to occur for it to be considered manslaughter.

but then again, I am not a lawyer either. I just watch them on television.

Posted by simplegal1963 on May 1, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree he certainly should do jail time and be held accountable for what he did. I am simply stressing that punnishment and jail time alone is not going to help him reform. That would almost certainly ensure he gets out and does the same thing (or worse, God forbid) again. He needs help while doing his time. People can be reformed and come to help others in the future. And, I certainly was not trying to imply that GTA was responsible for this. I am only pointing out the influence this stuff has on kids. They glamorize this stuff. But, it didn't cause it by any means. His poor decision making skills and ill judgement caused it.

Posted by omie on May 1, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm a hatemonger? you are an Enabler, feeling sorry for all the criminals. I don't care about their age, sex or race. I just want them removed from society.

Posted by FedUp on May 1, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.cityofventura.net/newsmana...

does anyone know when this actually happened? the police press release says March 30th, and this article says monday night. I heard a ton of sirens last night, so I figured it was last night??

Posted by socalromans on May 1, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK, so he's 16 and he did something stupid, like we all have done.
He should be glad it wasn't a headshot and do what ever time he gets thankful that he's alive to do the time.
Don't ask me to weep for him though, because it's idiots like this that endanger all of us.
As a motorcyclist, it's the stupid people out there that scare me.
And if this kid didn't get caught, he'd be laughin about it right now, feelin big and bad, braggin to his Homies.
Lock him up.

Posted by NothingButTheTruth on May 1, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

simplegal1963, what makes you think the officer "shot to wound and not kill"? The article says 4 shots were fired and the assailant had "a [one] gunshot wound in his rear torso area". So that you know, officers are trained to shoot to wound... as long as it's in the head or the heart. That is a fact. In the heat of the battle, 3 shots apparently missed the crook. He was lucky. No Commenter should EVER think that ANY cop gets ANY joy out of shooting and wounding or killing a suspect. It is sometimes are requirement of their job in order to protect their own life or that of another. Officer's know going in that they will be second guessed: by their own agency, by the press and people in general. Being involved in a shooting (good,bad or in between) is not fun for an officer... and they know if they had wanted to be loved they shoulda been a fireman.

Posted by UdontKnowMe on May 1, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a crime that obviously should be pursued in adult court. The actions of this young man are unacceptable. However these ignorant and anyone that comments in the same manner as his actions is no less different than him. I really have to wonder what ages are some of these bloggers.If these are adults, then I find this particularly troubling! It is definitely troubling to read these consistently growing hatred/and violent referencing comments. Ventura County Star why do you allow these sick and twisted comments to be posted routinely?

Posted by garym on May 1, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI, from what I am reading, this was not a case of joyriding on a dare or "borrowing" someones SUV. This thing was reported stolen on April 24, which means the suspect probably had plenty of time to think about what he was doing. What does a 16 year old do with an SUV for 4 days? I think I would notice if it was in my garage.

Posted by rebel123 on May 1, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was not feeling sorry for the kid and made it clear in my post that I was also not advocating leniency. My issue is with the extreme hate and vitriol that is spewed in some of these posts, calling for a head shot or critical wounds. The fact that this kid is still alive means he has a chance to change for the better. Frankly, I don't think someone at 16 has played the game of life long enough to be considered a loser. I'm stunned at the evident need by some on this board to see this kid dead. You're calling him a loser while advocating for lethal force??? Wow. Glad I'm not walking in your shoes.

Posted by pjlove10 on May 1, 2008 at 12:35 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by FedUp on May 1, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

so this WAS last night. the vpd's press release was wrong, as well as the STAR.
now I really want to know what the heck happened.

Posted by rebel123 on May 1, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pjlove10: go back and read my posts. I don't feel sorry for the kid. I am greatly disturbed by the messages on this post advocating violence toward this 16 year old. As a society, have we become so hardened that we rally with pitchforks and torches, demanding blood? I guess so. I repeat: I do not feel sorry for the perp, I do not expect leniency, I do not think he should get away with this. But I also am very glad he wasn't fatally shot. Your post is exactly what I'm talking about. You are so caught up in wanting to exact revenge that you miss my point entirely. Take a step back, breathe deep, and consider what it says about our society as a whole that people are yelling for this kid's death. He's behind bars. He didn't kill the cop. He got shot. He will be prosecuted and face justice in a court of law. Is that not enough for you guys? Man, the anger and hostility here is amazing.

Posted by prd2beamrkn on May 1, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rebel123

I am tired of paying for these little hoodlums, you know taxes and stuff to cover these people in jail. Gets kind of frustrating when this happens almost daily. We are not coldhearted people, just tired of the ones who have no regard for the law, human life, etc. I think they should all be corraled and shipped to an island in the middle of the ocean. They can all go at each other out there!

Posted by faderrific on May 1, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Alright so I understand 16 year olds do stupid things. I mean I did and I knew they were wrong at the time. But there is a difference between the normal mischevious 16 year old and stupid thoughtless 16 year olds such as this kid.

A normal mischevious 16 year old might "borrow" a car from his parents, while his parents are out of town. But here's the difference. If he were to be pulled over, he would STOP!!!

This kid started a chase, attempted to run over the officer, smashed into other cars, ran away from vehicle. There is absolutely nothing normal it.

You pitiful people are the reason why our society has fallen and children think it's alright to treat our law enforcement like this.

Another question I wanted to ask, WHERE WERE THE PARENTS or babysitters!? The Exploder was stolen a week ago and he was out at 9:30.

Posted by rebel123 on May 1, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oldoxn01: I can understand the frustration of paying taxes to jail people. You should also then be extremely frustrated at the billions of dollars we are throwing away in Iraq then. But to get back to my point, frustration at the amount of crime and the cost to society is one thing. Advocating extreme violence against a defendant is another. We are a country of laws and are supposed to be civilized. Wanting to perpetrate extreme violence lowers one to the same level as those who commit the very crimes we're talking about. What I'm reading in many of these posts decries our civilized nature, don't you agree?

Posted by I_LOVE_VENTURA on May 1, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VPD has corrected their press release. This did happen last night.

Posted by watts_gonon on May 1, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Correct me if I am wrong, but the article read the kid "began to accelerate toward the officer’s car.", not at the Officer. We are making assumptions that the kid was trying to run over the Officer. If I was trying to run over someone, I would turn towards their direction, not at the car. If that in fact happened, the Star should say so.

Just by the information I am reading, it looks like the Officer placed himself in a position to be run over. That in turned forced him/her to defend his/her life. But I have to wonder, if the Officer were to kill the driver, would that stop the SUV from continuing forward and striking the Officer? I was not there, but I would imagine that if one has time to draw a weapon, aim and fire at a forward moving target, one would have the same time to get out of the way.

Posted by steveb36701 on May 1, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rebel123, perhaps if the violent criminals received more violent punishment, others would think twice. People in general are sick to death of the hoodlums of all ages out there preying on our society. There are those who plead for love and understanding and they are the ones who have brought our judicial system to the namby-pamby, hand-wringing, Kumbayah point that we are now. There is a small minority who KNOW they will not receive a punishment of any severity until they have crossed that line many many times. When they are young, caught for the first time, etc., I say slam them with the harshest punishment possible. The alternative is that more and more HONEST citizens are going to start arming themselves and vigilante justice will prevail.

Posted by FedUp on May 1, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

watts_gonon - I dont care if he was aiming directly at the officer, or in the general direction of the officer. it is pretty obvious his intent was to harm whatever was in his way.
I say props to the officer for getting out of this situation alive, and thankfully the kid did not killed at the same time. that will hopefully lead to a much quicker end to the investigation against the officer, and will get him back on the streets sooner rather than later.

Posted by jkaspr on May 1, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess since none of us were actually there in the cops shoes...it is all speculation on our parts...This child did not make a "stupid " decision....he made a life or death decision by threatening a officer lawfully doing his duty...protecting US!
Stealing a car is not a dumb "teenager thing"...I will not cast stones without knowing what I did as a teenager...Yes..I did some dumb and stupid things...But was smart enough to not to engage in activities that could end up getting me incarcerated for...there is a difference...
Watts_Gonon....are you kidding me...unless you were there...which you state you were not...and unless you are trained in handling this type of situation you really shouldnt speak to how it should be done...This was real life...not some TV show...

Posted by Adam_Monroe on May 1, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey what happened to Matt's comments? LOL I hope the Star isnt trying to "sweep that under the rug!"

I agree with many of the commenters on here...the young man is old enough to know that trying to escape from the police in a stolen vehicle is more often than not an exercise in futility...as well and stupidity.

Now...trying to ATTACK a police officer (even if by only ramming their car) is just BEYOND stupid and doing things like that will get you justifiably shot....this young boy is proof of that.

Posted by Face on May 1, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Tried to kill a cop and got a bullet instead, the police man no gonna get hit. And now you eaten a bull et....

Posted by prd2beamrkn on May 1, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oldoxn01

Thanks steveb36701

My sentiments exactly! I am tired of it and I have children who cannot play outside because of society today! This is crazy! There has to be away to stop this madness! What are we doing in Iraq? We need to stop the terrorism in our own country!

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 1, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mmshoot,Thankyou!
rebel123 ,We think alike!!!!! Evil,demented people on here!!!!
simplegal1963,I agree!
rebel123,I totally agree with the hate that is so strong and the wanting of death and stoning by people these days. Its so evil . Sometimes I wonder who the evil ones really are.
People who just wish death upon another are not normal to me. No, what this kid did was not normal but he does have a chance to change his life around.

Posted by ironwoman on May 1, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think some of you are going too far by judging simply by comments. Just because people want justice, doesn't mean they are evil.
I want justice...does that make me evil? I like justice. Does that make me evil. I am glad the officer shot him, it could have prevented further destruction. It's called PUBLIC SAFETY. Police shoot to protect the public from dangerous criminals. THiS kid is apparently dangerous. SHould he have died? That's God's decision. SHould he pay for his crime? YES. SHould he go to prison? Yes. Should he get out? That's for a judge and parole board to decide.
Thank the Police Officer for doing his job and protecting our society.

Posted by watts_gonon on May 1, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jkaspr;
I agree I was not there. I did talk about it and made a statement that would be perceived as if I was giving instruction of how it should have been done. I only offered an opinion.

But because I did speak of it, you can assume that I trained and have been invoved in these types of situations, and instruct on them as well. Police have been training in urban combat for years, they just did not know it. Now our military specifically trains in-coming marines, soldiers, and sailors on urban tactics that come from many police training manuels,as pre-deployment training going into Iraq.

Of course we train for multiple targets. But it is still the same, if you have time to aim and shoot, especially at a forward moving threat, you have time to move out of the way. The best way to protect your life and the life of your squad, is not to put yourself in a situation that would require it(protection). It appears from the article that the Officer place him/her self in that situation. In an ambush you aggress, but this specific situation was not an ambush.

Of course you only have my word to whether or not I really do train or have been involved in these types of situations.

Posted by hillhoppy on May 2, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like he was playing that wonderful game grand theft auto

Posted by CamarilloMan on May 2, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Deport the kid!

Posted by jkaspr on May 2, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

watts_gonon
I can apprecite your training...I have my own military training
Gold Cup Certified as well as being a former Navy Range master...
Tactics are taught...in the military until it is second nature...Civilian PD dont train as often...looks like he saw the threat multiply with the civilian pulling in the drive way...He did a outstanding job overall

Posted by JaysPerfectWealthcom on May 2, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a shame. His parents should be so proud.

Posted by Face on May 3, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Any news if the teen will be charged with attempted murder of a Police Officer?

Posted by keysersoze on May 5, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We know the kid wasn't a minority... The cop only fired 1 shot instead of 30.