On March 12, 2023, at around 6:00 a.m., three officers from the Oxnard Police Department were conducting a DUI investigation.
Officers Shayn Schwartz, Alexus Santos, and Bryce Parker were wrapping up the investigation when an uninvolved individual approached them.
The suspect, 60-year-old Adam Barcenas, rapidly approached the officers from the west, wielding a five-foot steel bar and yelling at them.
Officer Santos was standing on the sidewalk when Barcenas approached. As Barcenas advanced toward the officers, Santos and Parker drew their tasers. Schwartz also drew his service firearm in response.
The officers instructed the member of the public to move away from the danger and ordered Barcenas to put the steel bar down. Despite their commands, Barcenas continued to approach the officers in a threatening manner.
As Barcenas advanced on Officer Schwartz, he fired four shots from his firearm, with three bullets hitting Barcenas in the right inner thigh, left hip, and left upper torso.
Simultaneously, Officer Santos discharged her taser, but the probes embedded in Barcenas’ clothing and failed to penetrate his skin. Officer Parker did not use his taser.
Following the shooting, the officers administered first aid until emergency medical services arrived on the scene. Barcenas was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 8:30 a.m.
No officers or other members of the public present at the scene were harmed during the incident.