Photo: the suspect’s Jeep
June 16, 2020 – Ventura, Ca.
With high schools nationwide struggling to conduct meaningful graduation ceremonies for their students in the face of coronavirus restrictions, Ventura High School’s seniors and families participated in a “mobile ceremony” on June 14th.
The logistics of this innovative celebration called for families to drive their vehicles up to the steps of Ventura City Hall so that students could receive their diplomas with a modicum of pomp and circumstance.
According to the City of Ventura Police Department’s Watch Commander, uniformed school resource officers were on the site to provide security and traffic control when “a white Jeep Gladiator” was observed speeding toward City Hall that “did not appear to slow down as it approached” the line of graduates’ vehicles.
At that point, the resource officer signaled the approaching driver to reduce his speed, but “the vehicle accelerated toward the officer.” The officer managed to dodge the onrushing Jeep which “continued to speed toward the main event where students, families, and school staff had gathered.”
At that point, the Jeep veered into a parking lot at the rear of City Hall, careening through the crowd of vehicles waiting to participate in the ceremonies.
Three school resource officers immediately responded, giving chase on foot an in patrol cars as the Jeep then exited the parking lot and sped away. At that point, patrol units gave chase, ultimately conducted a forced stop, and made contact with 29-year-old Ojai resident Cameron Ransom as they extricated him from the suspect vehicle.
Ransom was “taken into custody after a brief struggle.” He was then treated for minor injuries sustained in his combat with the cops and transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, assault of a police officer with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and driving under the influence.
