On February 11, 2024, at about 2:07 a.m., officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots near Oak and Main Streets in downtown Ventura. They found 20-year-old Anthony Castañon of Santa Paula with severe injuries; he was taken to Ventura County Medical Center and pronounced dead. Two other victims — a 24-year-old man from Oxnard and a 17-year-old male from Santa Paula — were critically injured and transported to Community Memorial Hospital by private vehicles before transfer to Ventura County Medical Center, where they remained in critical but stable condition.

Investigators believe the shooting may be gang-related. A 17-year-old male juvenile from Santa Paula was arrested in connection with Castañon’s death and the investigation is ongoing. Castañon, born June 15, 2003 in Las Vegas, lived in Camarillo and enjoyed basketball, baseball, off-roading, the beach, and time with family, especially his brothers. A GoFundMe set up by his cousin Jessica Meza aims to help the family with funeral expenses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Alberto Tovar at 805-339-4462.