Moorpark barricade man charged with attempted murder, more

Barricade suspect charged with attempted murder

An initial court hearing for the man accused of attempted murder during a barricade incident Tuesday that prompted a massive police response at a ranch west of Moorpark continued Friday without a plea being entered.

William Boer, 61, appeared in Ventura County Superior Court for arraignment Thursday afternoon and Friday morning after prosecutors filed charges of two counts of attempted murder, one count of possession of an explosive device and one count of attempted arson. Boer's estranged wife and a sheriff's detective are listed as victims in the indictment.

The attempted murder charge against Boer's estranged wife says the alleged crime was committed “willfully, knowingly and with deliberate intent,” the complaint states.

Prosecutors have also made several special allegations that could lead to increased penalties if convicted, including that he used a rifle in the incident with the detective and that the alleged crimes required planning and sophistication.

Boer was represented by the Ventura County Public Defender.

The hours-long dispute Tuesday began shortly after 10:20 a.m. when Boer's estranged wife reportedly visited him at his ranch house in the 4200 block of Ventavo Road. The property is off Hitch Boulevard, south of Arroyo Simi and Highway 118.

Boer had turned on the gas stove and several propane tanks in the house and tried to ignite a lighter, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. The woman believed she heard several gunshots as she fled. She escaped unharmed.

Boer, who was carrying rifles and pistols, then barricaded himself in his house. Several workers in other buildings on the property, as well as farm workers, were evacuated in armored vehicles for fear of the firearms and flammable gas.

The response included SWAT teams, helicopters, drones, robots, police dogs, the sheriff's bomb disposal unit, patrol cars, detectives and other emergency personnel. SWAT teams from the Simi Valley and Oxnard police departments assisted, and the California Highway Patrol closed portions of Hitch Boulevard and Ventavo Road. County firefighters were also on the scene. The Ventura Police Department sent a sniffer dog unit the next day to help search for weapons.

Sheriff's tactical negotiators spent hours Tuesday communicating with Boer, who was unresponsive at times. At around 6:50 p.m., he intentionally fired at police officers stationed outside his home, according to the sheriff's report. Shortly before 8 p.m., he surrendered without further incident.

During the court hearing Thursday afternoon, a temporary restraining order was issued prohibiting the defendant from having any contact with his estranged wife. According to court records, she filed divorce papers on August 30. The criminal case against Boer was classified as domestic violence, according to court records.

On Friday morning, the arraignment was adjourned a second time without a plea being entered. The hearing concluded on the afternoon of Oct. 11 in Courtroom 13. Boer was returned to the county jail and was not eligible for bail, according to jail and court records.

4 people arrested in stabbing case in El Rio

Authorities have arrested four suspects, all teenagers, in connection with the August 19 stabbing in El Rio in which a 15-year-old victim was killed.

The incident occurred in a parking lot in the 2800 block of East Vineyard Avenue just before 6 p.m. that evening, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, which patrols the unincorporated community outside Oxnard.

Several suspects physically assaulted the victim, a man, stabbing him with knives and taking his property, sheriff's officials said in a news release Wednesday. The victim was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Sheriff's officials worked with detectives from the Oxnard Police Department, who identified the suspects as Oxnard residents known to be members of a street gang, the news release said.

The suspects, all men, included a 19-year-old, two 18-year-olds and a 15-year-old. Over a two-week period in late August and early September, sheriff's detectives obtained arrest and search warrants. Prosecutors then charged the adult suspects with aggravated assault, conspiracy and street terrorism, officials said. The three adults remain in custody.

The minor faces multiple felony charges in juvenile court, officials said.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Sheriff's Detective Steve Bibian at 805-677-8733.

Rescue operation off Ventura Pier

Ventura Fire Department crews rescued a man from the ocean off the Ventura Pier early Thursday.

Authorities believe the incident, which was reported shortly after 1 a.m., was a suicide attempt.

Battalion Chief Jeremy Henderson said two lifeguards pulled an adult man from the water with a stab wound to the neck, which he believes was self-inflicted. Two other firefighters escorted the man, whose age is unknown, to Ventura County Medical Center, he said.

Moorpark barricade man charged with attempted murder, more

Barricade suspect charged with attempted murder

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Moorpark barricade man charged with attempted murder, more

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