FILLMORE : Officials Give More Details of Shooting Involving Deputy

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department released more details Thursday from its investigation of a deputy-involved shooting in Fillmore last weekend, even as Latino activists were gearing up to protest the incident.

Jesse Jose Gomez Jr., 20, of Fillmore, was shot in the face Friday night by an off-duty sheriff’s deputy after Gomez fired a gun into a crowd of rival gang members, deputies said.

Some of the youths were armed with guns, rocks and baseball bats, authorities said Thursday.

Deputy Michael Hasty was at a house a block away from the disturbance at D Street and Bluejay Avenue, heard the noise and responded, deputies said.

When Hasty reached the intersection, he saw Gomez fire into the crowd, authorities said. When Hasty was about 30 feet away he identified himself.

Gomez turned and pointed the gun at him, deputies said.

Hasty then shot Gomez once in the face, authorities said.

The shooting is still under investigation.

Gomez remained in critical condition Thursday at Ventura County Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.

Meanwhile, Latina activist Ramona Ayala said a protest of the shooting is planned for today at 10 a.m. in Fillmore.

The location of the demonstration had not been determined late Thursday, Ayala said.