2 Teens Recovering After Being Stabbed

Two 17-year-olds from Ventura were recovering Monday after being stabbed on Seaward Avenue by a band of youths, authorities said.

The first teenager had a 1-inch stab wound in the stomach and was released from Ventura County Medical Center shortly after the Sunday night incident, said Sgt. Larry White of the Ventura Police Department.

The second teenager was stabbed twice in the back and once in the arm. He was expected to spend a day in the hospital.

According to police reports, one teenager was walking down Seaward toward a beach bonfire about 9 p.m. when he saw some friends, who were fighting.

“He got hit in the head with a lawn chair,” White said. “He fell down on his hands and knees and heard someone say, ‘Stab him, stab him!’ ”

The teen was stabbed twice before he could get to his feet, White said, and then stabbed another time in the arm as he struggled up and ran.

Meanwhile, officers were responding to a report of youths throwing bottles near 1124 S. Seaward Ave.

By the time the police arrived, the first stabbing victim had already gotten himself to Ventura County Medical Center.

The second stabbing victim said he and his girlfriend were walking nearby when they saw the first youth, who was a friend, being attacked by five youths with knives, authorities said. One also had a gun, they said.

In an effort to protect his friend, the second victim threw a plastic water bottle at the head of the youth holding a gun. It was then that he was attacked, authorities said.

“He was hit in the right side and realized he had been stabbed,” White said.

Officers called an ambulance, administered emergency aid and sent the teen to the hospital.

Police said they did not know the motive for the attacks. They said neither of the victims are believed to be gang members, and none of the assailants yelled gang slogans or gang names.

Police ask that anyone with information about the incident call Sgt. Gary McCaskill at the Ventura Police Department.