OXNARD : Officer Wounds Suspected Gunman

Oxnard police shot and wounded a 24-year-old Oxnard man early Tuesday after he fired a round from a sawed-off shotgun at a neighbor’s car, then brandished the weapon at them, police said.

Officer James Evans, who fired the shot that hit Mario Prado in the upper left shoulder, was placed on administrative leave. Evans, 30, has been with the Oxnard Police Department for two years.

Prado was treated for the gunshot wound at St. John’s Regional Medical Center and released to police custody. He was booked on suspicion of assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, negligent discharge of a weapon and for violating parole. He was being held on $20,000 bail.

Three officers responded to a complaint of gunshots fired near an apartment complex in the 4900 block of Terrace Avenue at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

When officers arrived, Casey Wadsworth, 30, of Oxnard, told them his car had been hit by shots as he was pulling away from the complex.

Police walked around the building and found Prado sitting in an alley behind the complex with a sawed-off shotgun beside him.

According to police, Prado picked up the gun after the officers confronted him and pointed it at them. Evans fired one round, hitting Prado.

Police said it was unclear if Prado was aiming at Wadsworth’s car or what his motivation was.