5 Teens Slightly Hurt by Gunfire During Party

Two suspected gang members were in custody Thursday after gunfire at a party slightly injured five teens, authorities said.

The victims were attending a party Wednesday night under a carport at a condominium complex at 595 Paseo Esmerelda in Newbury Park, Ventura County sheriff’s deputies said.

About 10:15 p.m., the two alleged gang members walked into the party and began arguing with a boy, deputies said. One of them fired five shots from a small-caliber pistol into the carport’s cement driveway, deputies said.

Bullet fragments struck four boys and 19-year-old Franklin Ramos. All of the injuries, mostly leg wounds, were minor, and the victims were treated at the scene and released, Deputy Harold Hanley said.

More than two dozen deputies and gang investigators were dispatched to interview party-goers and neighbors who were outside when the shooting occurred.

Arrested were two boys, 17 and 15. Detectives would not say which teen they believe was the shooter, but both remained in custody Thursday in Juvenile Hall, Sgt. Margaret O’Donnell said.

Neighbors said glass bottles were thrown during the argument and the subsequent shooting and that some of the party-goers chased after the assailants.

“We have some [illegal] activity around here but something like this has never happened,” said Jason Jones, a three-year resident.

The gun believed to be the weapon used was recovered but a motive had not been established.

“Who knows why they do this,” O’Donnell said. “It’s really not that uncommon.”