Youth, 16, Severely Beaten by Crowd

A 16-year-old Oxnard boy was beaten severely Saturday afternoon by a crowd of several dozen youths who attacked him and his girlfriend in a park after a brief exchange of words, authorities said.

The victim, whose name was not released, suffered a head injury and possible skull fractures. He was on a respirator and listed in serious condition late Saturday at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, according to police and a nursing supervisor.

The boy’s 16-year-old girlfriend was bruised and cut, but not seriously injured.

The incident occurred about 3:50 p.m. at Via Marina Park in west Oxnard. Police learned of the attack when an anonymous caller reported that 30 people were fighting, Sgt. Cliff Troy said.

The 16-year-old girl told detectives that she was sitting with her boyfriend and another friend when a carload of youths drove by and yelled something to the 16-year-old boy.

After a brief exchange, the suspects got out of their car and walked toward the couple, where more words were exchanged. The suspects were then joined by another crowd of male and female youths who together attacked the couple.

When officers arrived, they found the 16-year-old boy crumpled in a yard across the street from the park, unconscious and bleeding slightly. He was taken to the hospital by paramedics.

Police said they have few leads on the suspects, who fled the scene in two cars before officers arrived.

Troy said the assault was possibly related to a series of violent incidents in the past month involving Oxnard gangs.