David Cabanas
Ventura County – When gunfire is heard in any community, it doesn’t take long for the phones to start ringing at local police stations in the jurisdiction closest to the noise. And when shots are heard late in the night, the disturbance to sleeping neighborhoods is rarely mistaken for vehicular or industrial noises that might be commonplace during daylight hours.
Such was the case just after midnight on Saturday, November 7th, when Oxnard residents reported hearing gunfire in a neighborhood notorious for gang violence. According to Oxnard Police Department spokesman Det. Cody Collet, officers responded promptly to a North “G” street location and found two gunshot victims, ages 19 and 20. The area was immediately cordoned off by a secure police perimeter, and the ensuing investigation, that included victim and witness interviews, led officers to pursue a suspect “seen jumping fences” immediately prior to the arrival of black-and-whites.
SWAT officers and Oxnard PD Detectives were soon on the scene searching several nearby locations. Some time thereafter, 25-year-old David Cabanas was found “hiding in a residence” just blocks away from the scene of the alleged shootings. As a documented member of the Colonia Chiques criminal street gang, Cabanas was immediately identified and taken into custody without resistance or further confrontation with law enforcement.
Cabanas was under a court order related to criminal street gang participation when he turned 18 in December of 2008. But records going back to 2009 show that he was charged with contempt of court – violating the order in February that year. He has been booked at least ten times on that charge alone since then. He faced other charges during that time as well, including two incidents of domestic violence. In March of 2013 he was arrested for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or co-habitant and assault with a deadly weapon. In September of 2014 he was charged with battery on a spouse, former spouse, or co-habitant.
Another notable arrest occurred in February of this year, when he was charged with vehicle theft, resisting arrest, unauthorized use of a personal ID, and possession of a controlled substance.
With the current investigation not yet closed, any member of the public having further information about these events is urged to call Detective Collet at (805) 486-6228, or to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
