Student wounded in Oxnard dies

An Oxnard junior high school student shot Tuesday in front of two dozen other students has died of his injuries, officials said today.

Lawrence King, 15, of Oxnard, had been rushed to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard , where he was initially listed in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head. Late Tuesday, authorities had said they thought his condition was improving. But he died around 2:30 p.m., said David Keith, an Oxnard police official.

The boy’s alleged assailant, a classmate, ran from the E.O. Green Junior High School and was apprehended nearby a few minutes later by Oxnard and Port Hueneme police officers.

The shooting was not gang-related, said Keith, who added that the school had not been a particular trouble spot before.

“It looked like it was personal between the two of them,” he said, declining to elaborate.

As school let out about 3 p.m., students learned about King’s death.

Emanuel Martinez, 12, said he had known the victim since the second grade.

“He was a friend of mine,” he said. “I would treat him with respect. I’m sad. I won’t be seeing him again. I feel sorry for the shooter.”

Juan Sandoval, 14, said he shared a fourth-period algebra class with the suspect, whom he described as a calm, smart kid who played on the school basketball team.

“I wasn’t expecting him to pack a gun like that,” Sandoval said. “I didn’t think he was that kind of kid. I guess you never know … He made a big mistake.”

catherine.saillant@latimes.com

greg.griggs@latimes.com