3 Shot, 1 Is Critically Wounded During El Rio Party Altercation

Three people were wounded, one critically, during an altercation at a party in El Rio Saturday night, officials said.

Sheriff’s Lt. Mike Gullon said the violence occurred after an unknown number of men crashed a large baptismal party in the 2600 block of Balboa Street shortly after 9 p.m.

The shootings took place in the ensuing scuffle, during which two others suffered minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals by friends, Senior Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Adford said.

Adford said deputies had been monitoring the large party, said to have been attended by more than 100 people, before the violence broke out.

Deputies would not release names of the shooting victims, but one was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center, where he was reported in critical condition and was being prepared for surgery about 10 p.m., a nursing supervisor said.

Two others were taken to Ventura County Medical Center with abdominal wounds, deputies said.

Deputies closed a two-block stretch of Balboa Street for a time after the shooting while they questioned suspects, but no arrests had been made by 10:15 p.m., Gullon said.