Oxnard, California — On Sunday, March 12, 2023, at approximately 6:00 a.m., three Oxnard Police Department officers were conducting a DUI investigation on the north side of the 100 block of West Fourth Street, between ‘A’ Street and Oxnard Boulevard. Officers Shayn Schwartz, Alexus Santos, and Bryce Parker were finishing up the investigation. Officer Santos was standing on the sidewalk with a member of the public when the suspect, 60-year-old Adam Barcenas, quickly approached from the west. Barcenas was not involved with the DUI investigation. Barcenas was yelling at the officers, repeatedly stating that he hated them. Barcenas was wielding a steel bar, approximately five feet in length, with both hands. Barcenas continued to yell at the officers as he advanced towards them. Officers Santos and Parker drew their tasers, and Officer Schwartz drew his service firearm.

The member of the public was directed to move away from the danger, and the officers commanded Barcenas to put the bar down. Barcenas ignored the officers’ commands and continued to advance towards the officers in an aggressive and threatening manner. Barcenas advanced on Officer Schwartz, and Officer Schwartz fired four shots from his firearm. Three of the four bullets struck Barcenas. Barcenas was shot in the inner thigh of his right leg, his left hip and his left upper torso. Simultaneously, Officer Santos fired her taser. The taser probes struck Barcenas, but embedded in Barcenas’ clothing and did not penetrate his skin. Officer Parker did not fire his taser. Following the shooting, the officers rendered first aid until EMS personnel arrived on scene. Barcenas was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center, and was pronounced deceased at approximately 8:30 a.m.. The officers, as well as the members of the public who were present at the scene, were not harmed during the incident.

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