2 Hurt, 1 Seriously, in Shooting at Ventura Birthday Party

A birthday party turned violent Saturday night as a teenager with a handgun shot two men celebrating a friend’s 21st birthday at a house in Ventura, authorities said.

The shootings occurred about 9:10 p.m. in the 3900 block of Dean Drive, said Ventura Police Sgt. Larry White. Two men suffered gunshot wounds to the chest. Both were taken by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center. One of the men was in very serious condition, White said.

Authorities did not release the names of the victims.

The 17-year-old suspect fled the scene on foot, and officers from the Ventura Police Department, along with deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, were investigating the shooting.

About 50 people had gathered at the house for the birthday celebration, White said. The suspect, who is known to several of the party-goers, had fought with a number of people and was asked to leave, authorities said. He then pulled out a gun and shot the men, White said. Authorities found one of the victims lying in the backyard and the other on the kitchen floor, White said.