Gang Fight Erupts Inside Courthouse : Crime: No one is hurt in a melee that began as rival groups’ members waited in a hall. Officials say it shows violence is rising.

Members of two rival Oxnard gangs squared off in a fistfight inside Ventura County’s Hall of Justice on Wednesday, the first such violent incident since a rash of court cases stemming from increased gang activity throughout the county.

Eight Ventura County sheriff’s deputies broke up the fight and no one was injured. There were no weapons involved, but four people were arrested on assault charges.

Wednesday’s incident is the first major outbreak of gang violence inside a county court building, officials said. The courthouse fight is another disturbing sign of the escalation of gang activity, they said.

“Obviously, society is becoming more violent and the gang problem is becoming more and more an everyday thing,” said Sgt. Dick Southwick, head of security at the courthouse. “We’ll just have to deal with it.”

Harry Cabral, who is the father of a reputed gang member, and two Oxnard juveniles were arrested on suspicion of assault, Southwick said.

Oxnard resident Brian Gerardo, 18, was arrested on assault charges and on suspicion of possessing a small amount of marijuana, Southwick said.

The fight broke out about 9:30 a.m. It involved about eight to 10 members of two south Oxnard gangs who were in the courthouse for the trial of a minor accused of robbery, Southwick said.

“The defense subpoenaed members of one gang, and the prosecutors subpoenaed members of the other gang,” he said.

In most cases involving gang members, prosecutors routinely warn security personnel, but on Wednesday, Deputy Dist. Atty. John A. Cardoza issued no such warning, Southwick said.

As the witnesses waited outside the courtroom for the judge to arrive, the two sides exchanged gang slogans and insults, Southwick said. The shouting match escalated into a melee.

A witness rushed into the courtroom and sounded the alarm. When the first deputy arrived, the fight was still going on, Southwick said.

Deputies pounced on Gerardo and handcuffed him. “After Gerardo was restrained, everybody else calmed down,” Southwick said.

Suspects and witnesses were ordered to remain in the building while sheriff’s deputies investigated the incident. Cabral and the two juveniles were arrested at the conclusion of the investigation, Southwick said.

In recent months, county officials have become increasingly concerned about the possibility of gang-related incidents inside the court building. They recently purchased two airport-style metal detectors to increase security.

There have been four gang-related slayings in the county this year, compared to only one in 1990. Drive-by shootings and other gang-related incidents are increasing. About 80% of all juvenile cases involve gang members, prosecutors have said.

Prosecutor Cardoza could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Vincent J. O’Neill declined to discuss the incident.

Times staff writer Mack Reed contributed to this story.