Hit-Run Suspect Was Shot in May Fight

VENTURA — Police say the man arrested in the hit-and-run death of Ventura resident Leslie Dawn Talley was shot in the abdomen earlier this year after attacking a former roommate with a knife.

Christopher Nathan Ringgold, 19, of Ventura was arrested Friday on suspicion of felony vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run after he allegedly confessed to running down Talley, 50, in the intersection of Thompson Boulevard and Ash Street the night before.

Talley died Thursday evening at Ventura County Medical Center.

On Sunday, Ringgold was being held in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Ventura Police Sgt. Randy James said Ringgold was seriously wounded May 12 when a 16-year-old boy shot him several times with a handgun in front of the boy’s house in the 100 block of Howard Street in midtown Ventura.

Ringgold, who once lived in the house, had armed himself with a butcher knife and returned to gather some of his belongings, authorities said.

An argument ensued, and the 16-year-old shot Ringgold in the side. Ringgold staggered across the street and collapsed on a neighbor’s front porch. He underwent surgery and for a time was in critical condition.

After being questioned by police, the boy was released and the district attorney’s office did not file any charges in the case.

Authorities said Ringgold confessed to hitting Talley only after first lying to police that his Ford pickup truck had been stolen the night of Talley’s death.

Witnesses said that after plowing into Talley, who would have turned 51 the next day, Ringgold swerved his truck back and forth in an apparent attempt to get her off his hood.

Ringgold is set to be arraigned Tuesday.