Identities of Officers in Fatal Ventura Shooting Released

Authorities Friday released the identities of officers involved in the fatal shooting of a Ventura man.

Officer Brian Hewlett, a canine officer and nine-year veteran of the Ventura Police Department, and Nancy Schindler, an officer for 12 years, have been on paid administrative leave since the shooting, said Lt. Carl Handy, department spokesman. But both officers are expected back to work as early as today, Handy said.

Hewlett and Schindler fired on 43-year-old Nick Nelson after the man advanced on the officers with a loaded revolver, police said.

Authorities were called to Nelson’s condominium on the 2600 block of Harbor Boulevard about 12:25 a.m. Wednesday after neighbors reported hearing shots.

Nelson fired two rounds into a television set before coming out of his home to confront police, authorities said.

Witnesses said Nelson refused to obey police instructions to drop his weapon, instead responding to their orders by repeatedly shouting “Go ahead and shoot.”

Nelson then walked toward officers, the gun in his hand, forcing Hewlett and Schindler to fire, Handy said. Nelson was struck in the leg and neck, police said.

Police believe Nelson was suicidal in the hours before the shooting but declined to elaborate on their reasons.

The incident was not the first time Hewlett was involved in a fatal shooting.

In 1995, Hewlett shot and killed a man who had recently escaped from the mental health division of the Ventura County Medical Center. Ernesto Garcia, 28, advanced on the officer with a club, forcing Hewlett to fire at him. An investigation into that shooting declared it a justified use of force.

Hewlett’s involvement in that case will have no bearing on an investigation that began Wednesday after Nelson’s death, Handy said.

“This is a totally separate case,” Handy said. “This one will be looked at just like it were any other officer involved in the incident.”

It should take about 10 days for the department to complete its investigation, Handy said.