VENTURA : El Rio Man Shot in Head at Thrift Store

A 41-year-old man was critically injured when he was shot in the head at a Ventura thrift store, police said Monday.

Police said they arrested Charles William Bothwell, 23, of El Rio in possible connection with the shooting late Sunday of Robert Allen Foster, also of El Rio, at the Starvation Army Store. The thrift shop, located in a former video store at 2280 E. Main St., had been open only two days when the shooting occurred.

Foster, who reportedly owns the thrift store, was taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition Monday.

Bothwell was being held Monday in Ventura County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police said they received a call about 10:40 p.m. that a shooting had occurred in the store. When they arrived, they found Foster lying on the floor with gunshot wounds to the head. Police said Bothwell was arrested at the store.

On Monday, a man and woman were carrying furniture and other merchandise into the store from an adjacent parking lot where it had been on display for the grand opening. They declined to comment, except to say that the store would reopen today. A sign in the window says profits from the store are used to help the homeless.

Police said their investigation is continuing.