Teen Suspected of Killing Man at Party Is in Custody

Ventura police say a teenager who allegedly shot a man to death and wounded another during a birthday party last month in Ventura has been in custody at Juvenile Hall since Nov. 27, four days after the shooting.

With cooperation from the Probation Department, his family and attorney, the 17-year-old El Rio youth, whose name was not released because of his age, turned himself in, according to Ventura Police Lt. Don Arth. He has been in custody ever since on a probation violation, authorities said.

The district attorney’s office is expected to file charges of murder and attempted murder within two weeks.

Witnesses say the suspect was not invited to the Nov. 23 party at a house in the 3900 block of Dean Drive. Once there, he argued with another man and was asked to leave. At that point, Arth said, he pulled a handgun from his waistband.

During a struggle over the gun, several shots were fired and two people were hit in the chest. Herman Charles Fields, 45, of Ventura was treated at Ventura County Medical Center and has since been released.

The second victim, 22-year-old Luis Carlos Romero of Oxnard, died that night.

Police said the suspect, who was known to several of the party-goers, ran from the scene. Arth said the suspect was on probation at the time of his arrest, but he did not disclose the nature of the charges.