By F. Scott Faulkner
Ventura County, CA
What started as a report of gunshot led to the arrest of Fillmore resident David
Lavine, 54 for having a bomb.
It all began a month ago when law enforcement officers responded to a call regarding gunshots in a residential neighborhood.
According to VCSD spokesman Det. Justin Heersche, “a man loitering near the location of the noise,” swiftly departed
the scene.
Detectives from the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation launched a thorough
follow-up which led to the prompt identification of Lavine, as their prime suspect. t Lavine’s residence
was merely a short walk from the scene of the reported gunfire.
Lavine, known to the authorities as a convicted felon restricted from owning firearms or
ammunition, became the focus of a search warrant, which was executed on October
1, 2024, by members of the West County Special Enforcement Unit along with
Fillmore Police and Investigation personnel.
The search of Lavine’s home turned critical when authorities discovered not only
ammunition but also “a suspected homemade destructive device.”
Given the potential threat, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad was promptly called to the
scene. Their expertise was crucial in safely identifying and neutralizing materials found
in Lavine’s possession believed to be “intended for constructing destructive devices.”
Lavine was then taken into custody and transported to Ventura County Jail, where he
was charged with Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Felony Possession of a
Destructive Device, and Felony Possession of Destructive Device Materials.
Lavine remains in custody with his bail set at $200,000.
