VCSO identifies man who brandished item ‘similar to a bow’ at deputies before being shot
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man deputies shot in June after he allegedly brandished an “item that looked similar to a bow” at them.
According to a VCSO release updated Wednesday morning, deputies responded to Avenida de Los Arboles east of Erbes Road around 6:50 a.m. on June 30.
A post to X indicates they were dispatched on reports of a “suspicious pedestrian.”
“The incident began when deputies made contact with a 37-year-old man who was observed holding a knife,” stated the Sheriff’s Office’s original press release, issued the afternoon of the shooting. “During the contact, the man advanced towards one of the deputies in a threatening manner with another device that appeared to be a bow and arrow.”
Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responding to reports of a “suspicious pedestrian” in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO) Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responding to reports of a “suspicious pedestrian” in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO) Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responding to reports of a “suspicious pedestrian” in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO) Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responding to reports of a “suspicious pedestrian” in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO) Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responding to reports of a “suspicious pedestrian” in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO) Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responding to reports of a “suspicious pedestrian” in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO) Deputies with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responding to reports of a “suspicious pedestrian” in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO)
After failing to comply with commands to drop his weapons and continuing to “aggressively approach” deputies, at least one deputy opened fire, VCSO said. The man, later identified as Adan Perez Hernandez, was struck by gunfire and transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition but survived the shooting.
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Deputies recovered a knife and “another item that looked similar to a bow” after the shooting, officials added.
Video of the incident posted by the sheriff’s office shows two deputies arriving at the scene and confronting Hernandez, who was armed with a knife and a homemade bow contraption.
He approached the first responding deputy while he was still in his cruiser, according to a still image from the video. Upon the second deputy arriving, Hernandez went to approach him, still wielding the weapons.
The deputy involved in the shooting could be heard yelling at Hernandez multiple times to “get down” before opening fire.
Hernandez, now 38, was arrested and booked on Tuesday on a felony warrant for brandishing a deadly weapon at an officer. He is also facing one count of resisting an officer.
A suspect, later identified as Adan Hernandez, approached deputies with a homemade bow on June 30, 2024 in Thousand Oaks, CA. (VCSO) A suspect, later identified as Adan Hernandez, approached deputies with a homemade bow on June 30, 2024 in Thousand Oaks, CA. (VCSO) The handmade bow that was brandished by a suspect before a deputy-involved shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO) A knife that was brandished by a suspect before a deputy-involved shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO) A knife that was brandished by a suspect before a deputy-involved shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA, on June 30, 2024. (VCSO) A suspect, later identified as Adan Hernandez, approached deputies with a homemade bow on June 30, 2024 in Thousand Oaks, CA. (VCSO)
Inmate search records indicate Hernandez was born in Guatemala and is being held on $50,000 bail at the Todd Road Jail in Santa Paula.
His first court appearance was Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., VCSO said.
Anyone with information surrounding the incident is asked to contact Detective Gerardo Cruz by calling 805-384-4726.
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The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will conduct an internal review to determine whether the deputies’ actions were lawful and within policy.
In addition, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent investigation into the deputy-involved shooting to determine if the use of force was legally justified.
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