VENTURA : Man to Be Arraigned Over Wife’s Shooting

A 25-year-old Ventura man who was arrested for allegedly shooting his wife in the hand as she tried to call 911 for help will be arraigned in Ventura County Municipal Court Friday morning, officials said.

Ventura police arrested Robert Velasquez on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and spousal abuse late Sunday.

Velasquez and his wife, Regina Velasquez, 23, were arguing at their Ventura home when Robert Velasquez grabbed his loaded handgun and followed his wife into their bedroom where she was attempting to make a 911 call, officers said.

The pair struggled over the telephone and the gun went off, hitting Regina Velasquez in the right hand. “The shot entered near the knuckle of her little finger,” said Sgt. Gary McCaskill. Regina Velasquez was taken to Community Memorial Hospital, where she underwent surgery Monday, McCaskill said.

Lt. Steve Bowman said Robert Velasquez had been drinking and was apparently jealous and angry with his wife. “It sounds like it was a continuing problem,” he said.

McCaskill said the couple’s 5-year-old child, who was asleep at the time of the shooting and did not witness the fight, was taken in by a family friend.

Robert Velasquez was arrested without a struggle and his gun seized by the police. He was booked at Ventura County Main Jail Sunday, and posted $5,000 bail Monday. He will be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Friday.